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1/'^': 


■'  r 


IT  MIGHT  BE. 


A  Story  of  the  Future  progress  of  the  Sciences,  the 

Wonderful  advancement  in  the  Methods 

OF  government  and  the  Happy 

State  of  the  People. 


BY 

H.  E.  SWAN. 


H.  E.  SWAN, 

STAFFORD,   KANSAS, 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  the  year  1893 

by 

HERBERT  B.  SWAN, 

In  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington,  D.  C. 


PRESS  OF  ...  . 
C.  B    WOODWARD 
PTG.  &  BOOK  MFG.  CO. 
ST.  LOVIS,  MO.   .   .   . 


PREFACE. 

THIS  volume — It  Might  Be — is  intended  to  suggest 
what  we  believe  would  be  successful  remedies  to 
some  of  the  evils  now  facing  the  people  of  our  land. 
While  suggesting  remedies  to  these  evils,  it  is  trying  to 
picture  the  wonderful  growth  which  the  sciences  would 
inevitably  take  were  they  freed  from  the  embarrassing 
position  in  which  they  are  now  placed  —  that  is,  sur- 
rounded by  the  great  questions  connected  with  the 
struggles  of  life.  While  some  of  the  pictures  may  be 
wide  of  the  mark,  yet  we  do  not  believe  that,  if  the  abso- 
lutely true  representations  of  the  near  future  were  shown 
up,  or  could  be  drawn,  our  picture  would  then  look  vis- 
ionary or  too  highly  colored. 

The  hope  of  the  author  is  that  some  one  may  come 
forth  from  the  great  mass  of  humanity  who  shall  be  able 
to  lead  the  Nation  to  a  higher  and  more  successful  mode 
of  conducting  its  affairs,  and  that  this  book  may  teach 
some  one,  and,  teaching  him,  cause  him  to  feel  more  and 
more  the  brotherhood  of  the  race,  and,  feeling  more  of 
this  common  humanity,  may  be  led  to  help  more  in  the 
great  struggles  now  being  made  by  these  millions  for  a 

«urer,  happier  mode  of  living. 

THE  AUTHOR. 
5)T.\FFORD,  Kansas, 

January,  1896. 


CHAPTER   I. 

"  Look  in  my  face;  my  name  is  It-Might-Be ; 
Unto  thine  ear  I  hold  the  dead- sea  shell, 
Of  ultimate  things  unuttered  the  frail  screen. 
Mark  me,  how  still  I  am?     But  should  there  dart 
One  moment  through  thy  soul  the  soft  surprise 
Of  that  winged  Peace,  which  lulls  the  breath  of  sighs, 
Then  shalt  thou  see  me  smile." — Rossetti. 

"  Hark,  what  sound  is  that,  Doctor  ?" 

The  two  men  suddenly  stopped.  They  were  at  the 
side  of  a  great  bowlder,  which  seemed  lately  to  have  rolled 
down  from  the  heights  above,  and  to  have  lodged  at  the 
roots  of  a  great  tree,  which  had  been  blown  down  by  some 
storm  in  the  now  long  ago^  tearing  up  an  embankment  of 
eai'th  five  or  six  feet  high,  and  into  the  basin  thus  left  in 
the  mountain's  side  this  massive  bowlder  had  fallen.  As 
they  paused  and  looked  around  them,  they  noticed  that 
there  were  great  tracks  down  the  side  of  the  mountain, 
which  had  been  made  by  the  awful  plunge  of  some  over- 
hanging rock  as  it  rushed  down  to  the  valley  below, 
tearing  the  trees  and  bushes  from  their  ancient  resting 
place  in  its  downward  plunge  and  scattering  the  brush 
here  and  there,  tearing  great  holes  in  the  ground  as  it 
leaped  from  cliff  to  cliff.  After  looking  sharply  about  for 
a  few  moments  and  listening  intently,  the  doctor  roi)lied  : 

''  It  is  the  moan  of  some  man  or  beast  in  great  pain. 
But,  Elverton,  what  means  this  great  confusion,  and 
what  power  has  loosed  those  mighty  rocks  and  sent  tlieni 
plunging  to  the  valley  yonder?  I  did  not  notice  tbis 
strange  appearance  until  now,  I  was  so  excited  in  my 
search  for  that  deer  you  wounded  down  there." 


8  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

"  'Tis  strange,  very  strange,  Doctor.  You  see  that, 
the  treer  are  not  injured,  "except  where  some  rocli  lias 
crashed  into  them.  Had  this  been  caused  by  some  great 
storm,  the  other  trees  and  bushes  would  show  its  effects 
as  well;  and  up  there  where  those  rocks  came  from  no 
cyclone  or  such  storm  ever  reaches.  It  is  above  the  limit 
of  such  storms." 

"  Listen,"  said  the  doctor,  as  again  a  low,  murmuring 
sound  broke  the  stillness  of  the  mountain  forest.  Tliey 
soon  discovered  that  the  strange  sound  proceeded  from  an 
opening  at  the  bottom  of  the  rock,  against  which  they 
were  leaning.  Upon  a  closer  examination  they  found  that 
there  was  an  opening  into  the  mountain's  side,  which  the 
rock  had  nearly  closed  when  it  found  its  resting  place 
here  a  few  days  before.  No  time  was  lost  in  securing  a 
small  sapling,  for,  said  the  doctor,  "  I  believe  there  is 
something  imprisoned  down  there  under  that  rock  which 
is  the  cause  of  this  queer  noise."  The  sapling  was  used 
as  a  lever  to  remove  the  rock,  which  was  accomplished 
after  much  puffing,  grunting  and  some  lifting;  but  once 
loosened,  it  plunged  away  down  into  the  valley  beneath, 
exj)osing  by  its  removal  a  small  opening  which  extended 
downward  into  the  mountain  as  far  as  they  could  see. 
That  he  might  the  better  hear  the  sounds  which  came 
from  the  mountain,  the  doctor  placed  his  head  as  far 
down  as  he  could  into  the  cavity.  He  was  soon  so  excited 
by  what  he  heard  that  Elverton  thought  he  was  going  to 
fall  down,  so  he  caught  hold  of  his  feet  and  pulled  him 
back,  when  the  doctor  looked  up.  Elverton  looked  into  a 
face  whose  meaning  he  could  not  read,  but  upon  which 
was  a  look  of  extreme  terror.  The  eyes  protruded,  the 
face  was  whitened  and  the  body  trembled  in  every  nerve. 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  9 

He  did  not  speak,  but  quickly  pointed  to  the  opening  in 
;he  ground.  After  looking  at  the  frightened  doctor  for  a 
few  moments  and  getting  as  a  reply  to  his  questions  but 
the  pointing  finger,  he  lay  down  upon  the  ground  and 
placed  his  head  within  the  opening,  the  doctor  taking  the 
precaution  to  take  hold  of  his  feet.  For  some  moments 
he  lay  there  and  then  slowly  arose.  His  looks  had  greatly 
changed.  No  man  ever  wore  an  expression  of  more 
surprise  and  astonishment  than  did  Elverton,  as  he  arose 
to  his  feet.  It  was  some  time  before  he  could  speak,  and 
then,  in  a  voice  whose  trembling  plainly  expressed  his 
surprise  and  wonder,  he  said : 

"  Why,  Doctor,  I  never  heard  such  sounds  in  my  life 
before.  Where  does  it  come  from  and  what  does  it  mean? 
Such  music  as  only  the  angels  in  heaven  could  make, 
then  those  awful  shrieks,  then  that  terrible  crashing,  as 
if  the  very  suns  of  the  universe  were  falling  together  in 
mighty  battle.  Who  can  it  be  shut  up  in  this  old  moun- 
tain, or  have  we  suddenly  dropped  to  some  other  world 
never  before  dreamed  of  ?  Can  it  be  that  within  the 
bosom  of  this  mighty  mountain  there  is  a  speaking  tube 
reaching  up  and  drinking  in  the  songs  of  the  shining 
seraphs  on  the  golden  shore,  and  one  reaching  down  to 
the  lower  world  and  transmitting  the  wails  and  shrieks  of 
the  lost  ?     Tell  me,  Doctor,  what  does  it  mean  ?  " 

"Mean?  Why,  I  have  not  the  slightest  idea,"  he 
answered.     "  Hold  me  and  I'll  listen  again." 

He  again  laid  down  upon  the  ground,  but  this  time 
upon  his  side,  and,  with  his  arm  extended  across  the 
opening,  he  grasped  the  roots  of  the  tree  and  lowered  his 
head  within  the  hole.  For  the  next  few  moments  his 
face  was  a  study  to  behold ;  now  lit  up  with  a  smile  and 


10  IT    MIGHT   BE. 

ecstacy  of  delight,  then  set  and  firm  as  if  in  deep  thought ; 
then  tightly  drawn,  as  if  his  heart  strings  were  being 
broken  with  some  great  grief;  tears  started  to  his  eyes, 
only  to  be  dried  in  a  few  moments,  as  a  look  of  awe  spread 
over  his  countenance.  The  sounds  soon  ceased,  and 
after  he  had  waited  some  time  for  their  return,  but  with- 
out success,  he  slowly  and  reluctantly  arose,  saying,  as  he 
did  so: 

' '  Can  it  be  that  some  new  tribe  of  beings  are  at  home 
down  there  and  are  engaged  in  deadly  combat  ?  I  wish 
we  had  a  rope  and  lantern.  I  would  like  to  go  down  and 
explore  that  mystery.  I  suppose  it  must  be  an  opening 
into  a  mammoth  cave,  and  I  would  like  to  explore  it." 

While  they  were  talking,  a  momentary  shadow  flitted 
past  them,  as  if  caused  by  some  slowly  passing  bird,  and 
they  both  looked  up,  but  could  not  at  first  see  the  cause 
thereof ;  but  a  scream  of  an  eagle  higher  up  the  mountain 
soon  explained  the  appearance  of  the  shadow.  As  they 
were  about  to  turn  their  gaze  back  to  the  ground,  Elverton 
caught  the  glimpse  of  a  shining  object,  far  up  above  the 
mountain  top,  and,  pointing  his  finger  in  the  direction 
thereof,  called  the  doctor's  attention  thereto,  saying: 

"  What's  that  up  there.  Doctor?  Looks  like  a  meteor 
or  comet,  yet  too  steady  for  a  meteor  and  not  far  enough 
off  for  a  comet." 

The  doctor  looked  up  and  saw  only  a  very  bright 
light,  yet  it  came  from  far  away  up  beyond  where  the 
clouds  ever  attain,  or  eagle  wing  could  find  air  dense 
enough  to  buoy  it  up.  Its  size  they  could  not  tell,  for 
they  had  no  way  of  telling  how  far  away  it  was.  It 
seemed  to  be  stationary  and  shown  with  a  light  reflected 
from  the  sun,  intensified  by  its  own  dazzling  brilliancy. 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  11 

and  glistened  like  a  star  of  the  first  magnitude  shining  in 
a  clear  midnight  sky. 

''  I  don't  know  what  that  thing  is,  Elverton,  and  I  am 
getting  a  little  anxious  to  get  away  from  here,  for  it 
begins  to  seem  a  little  uncanny  to  me.  What  say  you 
about  going  down  into  that  valley,  where  we  can  talk 
over  these  things — " 

They  were  still  looking  at  the  bright  object  above  the 
mountain,  when  they  noticed  that  it  suddenly  began  to 
shine  brighter  than  ever  and  seemed  to  wave  about  and 
tremble.  At  the  same  time  they  began  to  feel  a  strange 
oppression  of  the  air  about  them.  The  leaves  on  the 
trees  began  to  flutter,  and  yet  not  a  breath  of  air  was 
stirring.  The  two  men  slowly  sank  to  the  ground,  where 
they  lay  and  panted  for  breath,  not  being  able  to  move 
about  and  hardly  to  think  or  breathe.  The  mountain 
trembled ;  a  few  stray  rocks  were  loosed  from  their  resting 
places  and  rolled  past  them  down  the  mountain.  The  air 
seemed  to  be  on  fire,  and  cracked  and  popped  like  break- 
ing twigs;  the  rain  began  to  fall,  yet  not  a  cloud  could  be 
seen.  There  were  a  few  blinding  flashes  of  lightning, 
followed  by  awful  roars  of  thunder,  and  then  the  rain 
ceased  to  fall,  the  air  calmed  down  and  all  was  quiet 
again.  They  arose  and  with  one  accord  started  down  the 
mountain,  and  not  very  slow  did  they  walk,  either.  They 
had  traveled  two  or  three  hundred  yards  before  either 
spoke,  and  then  the  doctor,  in  a  husky  voice,  whispered : 

"Was  that  an  earthquake,  Elverton,  or  what  in  the 
world  was  it?  My  head  hurts,  and  my  hair  pulls  even 
now." 

Elverton  drew  a  few  long  breaths,  tried  to  calm  him- 
self, and  replied : 


12  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

'"  As  to  what  that  was  or  its  cause  I  do  not  know.  I 
only  know  that  I  felt  as  though  a  thousand  arms  of  iron 
were  around  me,  each  one  pressing  as  if  to  crush  out  my 
life.  My  fingers  tingled,  my  hair  pulled,  and  my  heart 
seemed  trying  to  leap  out  of  my  throat." 

"  What  can  you  make  of  it,  Elverton  ?  I  can't  imagine 
what  it  means,  but  I,  for  one,  did  not  wish  to  remain 
there  and  have  it  repeated  in  my  presence." 

"Nor  I,"  replied  his  friend;  "yet  I  would  like  to 
know  what  that  cavity  in  the  mountain  contains." 

"  Well,"  said  the  doctor,  "  I  am  in  favor  of  securing 
the  necessary  articles  and  come  out  here  to-morrow  and 
explore  this  mystery  to  its  depths," 

"  I  agree  to  that,"  replied  the  doctor's  companion,  as 
they  walked  down  toward  the  base  of  the  mountain. 
"But,  Doctor,  that  could  not  have  been  an  earthquake, 
for  that  same  phenomena  must  have  happened  before  and 
loosened  those  great  bowlders,  which  plowed  such  furrows 
up  there,  and  we  would  have  fait  the  shock  at  Silverton, 
and  no  one  there  has  reported  such  an  occurrence.  And, 
besides,  all  that  weight  and  motion  seemed  to  be  from 
above  and  not  beneath;  and  did  you  notice  how  that 
thing  up  in  the  air  shone  just  as  it  begun  ?  I  confess  I 
was  so  frightened  I  did  not  notice  the  direction  it  came 
from  very  much,  and  did  not  stop  to  take  my  bearings, 
except  in  my  departure  from  the  place.  I  tell  you, 
Doctor,  I  believe  that  shining  something  up  there  in  the 
air  had  much  to  do  with  that  troubled  atmosphere  and 
those  subterranean  sounds.  A  wonderful  amount  of  power 
was  turned  loose  there  somehow,  and  I  would  like  to 
know  what  and  where  the  secret  lever  was  that  unbound 
it." 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  13 

"  That  reminds  me,"  the  doctor  rejoined,  "  that  only 
a  few  days  ago  I  read  tliat  some  Professor  Crooks  had 
estimated  that  each  cubic  foot  of  ether,  tliat  subtle  some- 
thing that  fills  all  space,  contained  ten  thousand  feet  of 
energy.  And  it  seems  to  me  that  in  some  manner  the 
elements  around  this  old  mountain  met  the  conditions 
and  let  out  a  floodgate  of  heretofore  imprisoned  force. 
After  passing  through  what  we  have  for  the  past  half 
hour,  I  am  led  to  look  upon  the  professor's  statement  as 
less  visionary  than  I  once  supposed." 

"  Were  it  possible  to  utilize  all  the  force  wasted  up 
there  this  afternoon,  there  would  be  but  little  use  for  steam 
engines,  for  it  seems  to  me  that  power  enough  was  freed 
to  turn  every  mill  wheel  and  haul  every  load  in  the  Union 
for  the  next  dozen  years.  That  certainly  was  an  electric 
force  we  felt,  for  my  fingers  and  nerves  felt  it,  and  my 
hair  seemed  to  wish,  if  possible,  to  depart  from  my  head. 
Then,  too,  you  could  see  and  hear  it  on  every  side. 
It  must  have  escaped  into  the  ground,  when  we  saw  those 
awful  flashes,  for  it  ceased  thereafter.  That  rain  seemed 
queer  to  me,  coming,  as  it  did,  without  clouds." 

"  Some  law  for  the  causation  of  the  fall  of  rain,  which 
man  has  heretofore  failed  to  discover,  must  have  been 
exerted  there,"  said  the  doctor;  then,  continuing,  "  I 
believe  that  our  nation  is  just  entering  upon  an  epoch 
which  shall  be  characterized  by  such  a  grasping  and  utiliz- 
ing of  the  forces  bound  up  in  Nature's  storehouse  as  has 
heretofore  been  undreamed  of. ' ' 

"I  have  often  wondered,"  returned  Elverton,  the 
preacher,  "if  that  passage  in  the  Bible  did  not  mean 
much  more  than  we  ever  got  out  of  it." 

*'  What  passage,  Elverton  ?" 


14  IT   MIGHT    BE. 

''I  believe  it  is  Romans,  viii:  21,  22,  and  reads 
something  like  this :  '  Because  the  creature  itself,  also, 
shall  be  delivered  from  the  bondage  of  corruption,  into  the 
glorious  liberty  of  the  children  of  God.  For  we  know  that 
the  whole  creation  groaneth  and  travaileth  in  pain  together 
until  now.'  I  do  not  think  that  theologians  have  ever  yet 
got  half  way  to  the  depth  of  it.  It  will  be  fully  under- 
stood and  demonstrated  when  we,  as  a  people,  reach  that 
state  of  glorious  freedom  spoken  of  in  the  first  verse. 
When  our  minds  reach  that  rest  from  care  and  anxiety, 
allowing  them  to  grow  and  expand  the  wings  and  fly 
away  to  heights  which  imagination  now  fails  to  reach, 
then  will  we  grasp  and  unlock  the  doors  into  Nature's 
secret  closets,  and  loose  the  bands  of  untold  millions  of 
energy  and  chain  it  as  slaves  to  do  our  bidding.  When  I 
look  back  to  what  we  were,  and  only  a  few  years,  either, 
then  to  the  place  we  now  occupy,  I  can  but  say  that  no 
flight  of  our  imagination  toward  the  mark  of  future 
advancement  can  reach  half  way  up  the  ladder  to  the 
summit.  We  now  talk  of  flying  machines,  pneumatic 
railroads,  telegraphing  without  connections,  etc.  Doctor, 
the  time  will  soon  roll  around  when  we  shall  have  reached 
that  point  in  our  history,  and  traveled  on  to  stars  of 
progress,  whose  brightest  ray  does  not  reach  down  to  the 
present  time.  I  only  wish  I  could  be  one  to  help  in 
hastening  that  glorious  day." 

"  But,  Elverton,  I  am  stirred  to  the  very  depths  of  my 
soul  over  the  experiences  of  the  past  half  an  hour,  and  I 
must  in  some  way  account  for  them,  or  I  am  fearful  of 
the  consequences.  Had  there  been  such  sweet  songs 
only,  I  might  have  imagined  that  mermaids  were  a  reality 
9,nd  that  wq  had  found  a  retreat  of  theirs;    but  those 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  15 

awful  crashes,  that  low  moaning,  those  piercing  shrieks — 
oh,  I  seem  to  hear  them  now.  Explain  it,  Elverton,  or  I 
shall  go  crazy." 

' '  Explain  it  ?  You  might  as  well  ask  me  what  the 
Creator  made  the  sun  of,"  he  answered.  "I  have  not 
the  slightest  idea.  It  was  so  odd,  so  strange,  so  awful.  I 
can  think  of  no  possible  cause  therefor.  I  never  heard  of 
such  an  exhibition,  either  about  this  old  mountain  or  any 
other,  before,  and  as  to  its  cause  I  cannot  even  dream, 
unless  it  be  that  shining  object  we  saw,  those  strange 
sounds  and  that  awful  electric  shower  have  a  bearing  in 
some  way  upon  one  another,  and  that  in  some  mysterious 
manner  that  shining  balloon  was  the  cause  of  all  the  rest. 
True,  I  cannot  imagine  how,  but  a  cause  it  certainly  had, 
and  I  wish  to  find  out  what  it  was." 

''So  do  I.  But  there's  the  wagon  and  our  comrades. 
We  better  say  as  little  as  possible  about  these  events  and 
come  out  together,  to-morrow,  for  a  complete  explora- 
tion," replied  the  doctor,  as  they  neared  the  company, 
who  had  come  out  on  the  hunting  excursion  with  them. 

"  Hello  there !  Are  you  alive?  What  kind  of  a  storm 
was  that  up  there  on  the  mountain  ?  ' '  was  the  greeting 
that  they  received  from  their  waiting  companions. 

"We  would  be  pleased  to  have  you  tell,"  was  the 
doctor's  reply.  "We  were  in  some  kind  of  a  thunder 
and  rain  storm,  which  seemed  to  come  just  to  frighten 
us.     We  got  a  little  wet  and  a  good  deal  frightened." 

"  Well,  we  heard  a  few  awful  heavy  thunder  claps,  but 

were  so  shut  in  by  the  forest  and  hills  that  we  could  not 

see  the  storm,  and  wondered  what  it  was,"  came  the  reply. 

"It  was  quite  a  severe  storm,  but  did  not  last  long, 

and  no  damage  was  done,"  Elvertoa  answered. 


16  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

"  We  wondered  what  kind  of  a  storm  it  could  be,  for 
the  greatest  amount  of  game  we  ever  saw  came  running 
down  past  us  just  as  it  was  over,  and  we  had  the  good 
luck  to  kill  those  three  deer  and  saw  hundreds  of  rabbits. 
The  game  was  all  so  frightened  that  it  paid  no  attentior 
to  us,  but  ran  within  a  few  yards  of  the  wagon,  and  we 
had  good  shooting  for  a  few  minutes." 

"You  look  as  though  you  were  most  frightened  to 
death,  Doctor.     What  is  the  matter?  "  asked  another. 

"  Yes,  I  was  frightened.  The  bolts  of  lightning  struck 
so  close  to  us  that  I  begun  to  think  there  would  soon  be 
another  widow  in  Silverton,"  he  replied. 

"  What  was  it,  anyway  ?  "  another  asked.  "  Was  it 
a  cyclone  ?  " 

"  No,  it  was  not  a  cyclone,  but  just  seemed  to  be  an 
electric  storm ;  yet  it  was  different  than  any  I  ever  saw 
before,"  was  the  doctor's  way  of  answering,  for  he  wished 
to  explore  the  cave  and  find  out  the  right  cause  before  he 
said  very  much  about  it.  He  then  added,  for  the  purpose 
of  changing  the  subject,  "How  long  have  you  been 
waiting  for  us  ?  " 

"About  an  hour,"  was  the  reply,  as  they  began  to 
hitch  up,  preparatory  to  the  return  trip  home. 

They  were  soon  on  the  way  to  Silverton,  which  was 
ten  miles  off.  It  took  the  united  care  and  effort  of  both 
Elverton  and  the  doctor  to  keep  the  subject  of  conversa- 
tion away  from  the  mountain  storm.  But  they  arrived 
safe  at  home  without  having  made  any  further  explana- 
tion of  their  secret. 

When  the  doctor's  wife  asked  him  that  evening  why 
he  was  gathering  together  so  man}^  things,  and  what  he 
wanted  of  a  lantern,  a  tape  line,  so  much  rope,  and  why 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  17 

he  got  that  cheese  and  crackers,  he  only  answered  that 
they  had  found  a  cave  up  there  in  the  mountains,  and 
that  he  was  going  with  the  preacher  in  the  morning  to 
explore  it. 

The  preacher's  wife  wondered  what  it  was  he  had 
found  so  interesting  as  to  call  him  from  his  morning 
study,  his  afternoon  calls  and  to  ask  the  class  leader  to 
conduct  the  weekly  prayer  meeting,  saying  that  he  might 
not  be  back  in  time.  All  his  wife  found  out  was  that  a 
cave  had  been  found  and  must  be  explored  the  next 
day. 

Two  men  arose  very  early  the  next  morning,  after  a 
night  of  little  sleep,  and  at  the  appointed  time^  four 
o'clock,  met  at  the  doctor's  barn,  where  the  team  was 
soon  hitched  up  and  they  were  away.  They  drove  down 
the  deserted  street  and  out  into  the  country  toward  the 
great  mountain,  whose  great  side  looked  only  like  a  dark, 
ominous  cloud,  as  the  moon  was  just  setting  behind  it. 
On  they  drove  past  the  beautiful  groves,  past  the  heavily 
laden  apple  orchards — whose  fruit  filled  the  air  with 
fragrance — past  the  cornfields,  whose  harvest  was  full  for 
the  industrious  farmer,  who  was  just  now  awakening  to 
begin  the  labors  of  the  day.  They  passed  field  after 
field  and  orchard  after  orchard,  bowing  with  burdens  of 
richness  for  the  blessing  of  man.  Soon  there  was  a  lull 
in  the  conversation,  and  after  a  short  pause  Elverton 
spoke : 

' '  Nature  seems  willing  and  anxious  to  supply  all  the 
needs  of  the  human  body,  yet  thousands,  this  very  hour, 
are  longing  for  the  necessities  of  life,  which  seem  to  be 
spread  around  here  with  such  bounteous  hand.  Where 
does  the    blame  lie,  Doctor?     Is  it   not  at   the  door  of 


18  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

mankind  themselves?  Nature  supplies  enough  for  bread, 
meat,  materials  for  clothing,  buildings  and  necessary 
implements,  air  enough  (God  knows,  and  so  do  we,  that 
no  being  need  to  live  nor  die  in  the  alleys  of  miasma  of 
the  large  cities),  song  and  music  enough;  but,  oh,  how 
many  are  starving  for  these  very  things,  and  Nature's 
storehouses  so  full.  Doctor,  the  problem  of  the  age  is, 
how  to  get  man  up  to  Nature's  great  feeding  troughs, 
without  the  weaker  ones  being  pushed  out  and  crowded 
back  by  the  stronger." 

"And  when  some  one  does  find  some  new  way  of 
chaining  and  using  more  of  the  natural  forces,  some  new 
discovery  in  science,  some  new  balm  for  aching  bodies, 
he  rushes  away  to  get  the  exclusive  right  thereof  in  a 
patent  or  copyriglit,  or  locks  up  the  secret  in  his  own 
breast  and  then  dies  with  it  securely  locked  there.  Instead 
of  blessing  the  race  with  it,  as  he  ought  to  do,"  replied 
the  doctor,  who  longed  to  know  Keely's  secret.  "This 
race  is  cursed  with  a  mighty  dose  of  selfishness,  and  the 
problem  of  the  age,  to  my  mind,"  the  medicine  man 
said,  "is  to  find  some  remedy  for  this  inherent,  contag- 
ious disease.  Were  I  to  find  it,  my  fortune  would  be 
assured." 

"  Ah,  there  it  is  again,  Doctor;  you  would  need  to  take 
a  dose  of  your  own  medicine,  for  you  seem  to  be  afflicted 
with  the  same  malady.  You  seemingly  would  find  it 
only  for  pay." 

"  Very  well,  friend  Elverton,  but  I  had  expected  you 
to  say,  with  your  usual  promptness  in  turning  subjects  in 
that  direction,  that  the  remedy  had  been  discovered, 
and  that,  nineteen  hundred  years  ago,  in  far-off  Palestine, 
which,  while  I  grant  it,  only  reply,  that  diseased  people 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  19 

seem  adverse  to  taking  the  remedy,  or  it  has  to  be  sugar- 
coated  so  thick  to  get  the  people  to  try  it,  that  the  coating 
destroys  the  effect  of  the  remedy  to  be  taken." 

"Yes,  that  is  so,"  was  the  reply,  "but  people  seem 
to  lose  their  reasoning  powers  when  they  leave  the  realm 
of  bodily  and  mental  disease  and  go  on  to  moral  con- 
tagion. But  the  remedy  is  growing  in  favor.  It  has  no 
patent  or  copyright  on  it  to  hinder  its  progress  and  enrich 
the  advocates  thereof.  But  the  day  is  not  far  distant 
when  the  dread  of  the  remedy  will  be  overcome  by  the 
aggravation  of  the  disease  and  the  glorious  health  of  the 
cured." 

"See,  there's  a  pond  full  of  ducks,"  whispered  the 
doctor.  "  Let's  try  a  shot;"  saying  which,  they  got  out 
of  the  buggy,  hitched  the  horses  and  started  toward  the 
pond. 

"You  crawl  up  behind  that  knoll,  Elverton,  and  I'll 
try  and  get  a  shot  from  behind  that  clump  of  bushes." 

It  was  yet  quite  dark,  but  from  Elverton's  position  he 
could  see,  by  the  reflection  of  the  setting  moon,  the  sur- 
face of  the  pond  and  the  ducks  therein.  At  the  pre- 
arranged signal  he  fired  both  barrels,  soon  after  which 
the  doctor  fired.  The  preacher  picked  up  three  large 
ducks,  the  result  of  his  shot,  and  started  for  the  buggy, 
which  he  reached  in  time  to  have  the  horses  untied  before 
the  doctor's  arrival. 

"  Where  are  your  ducks  ?  "  was  his  greeting. 

After  the  doctor  had  got  in  and  sat  down  he  replied : 

"  Well,  I  did  not  get  any.     From  my  position,  with 

my  back  to  the  moon,  I  could  not  see  even  the  surface  of 

the  pond,  and  after  you  shot  they  flew  over  me  and  I 


20  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

guessed  at  the  range  by  the  sound  of  their  wings  and  fired, 
but  did  not  hit  any." 

''Just  like  you,  anyhow,"  spoke  up  the  preacher. 
"Just  the  way  you  doctors  do  in  practicing  medicine. 
You  go  into  the  profession  with  your  backs  to  the  hght 
(the  commandments  of  God,  which  are  the  preventative 
remedy) ;  then  in  your  diagnosis,  do  not  get  over  to  the 
right  side  of  the  pond  to  catch  the  reflection  of  the  hght, 
but  catch  one  symptom  of  a  disease,  then  immediately 
conclude  you  have  it,  administer  the  remedy  and,  by  the 
time  you  find  out  that  you  were  mistaken,  the  patient  is 
gone,  far  beyond  your  power  to  bring  back.  Your 
science  is  living  in  a  too  darkened  condition.  You  doc- 
tors ought  to  come  out  of  the  twilight  of  medical  science 
into  the  broad  sunlight  of  a  remedy  ■  for  every  ill  the 
human  frame  is  heir  to,  and  a  sure  diagnosis  of  every 
disease." 

"Good,"  returned  the  doctor,  "  but  don't  you  know 
that  we  are  far  in  advance  of  you  preachers  ?  When  we 
have  decided  on  the  nature  of  a  disease  we  have  but  four 
systems  of  treatment,  while  you  have  hundreds,  some 
directly  opposed ;  and  some  of  the  theologians  sight  the 
game,  aim  the  gun,  but  have  no  load  in  the  weapon. 
Then  many  times  the  game  cannot  be  shot,  for  it  has 
alighted  on  the  barrel,  out  of  range  of  the  charge.  I 
mean  by  that,  first,  they  go  through  the  outward  forms 
and  ordinances,  but  have  no  vital  experimental  religion 
to  work  the  changes  necessary.  Then,  again,  many 
people  do  all  and  more  than  some  churches  require  f^.nd 
yet  are  not  changed  in  this  life,  much  less  in  the  one  to 
come.  The  barrel  should  be  cut  off  a  few  feet;  lop  off  a 
few  creeds,  isms  and  doctrines,  and  we  will  talk  to  you 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  21 

about  trying  the  dose.  I  have  heard  you  say  that  you 
wondered  why  unsaved  people  did  not  try  the  remedy, 
when  so  many  proofs  of  its  efl&cacy  were  to  be  found  on 
every  hand.  Now,  Elverton,  I  wonder  why  you  church 
people  do  not  do  something  toward  church  consolidation. 
You  acknowledge  that  it  would  be  better  if  there  were 
less  creeds  and  forms  of  belief,  yet  you  do  but  little  to 
change  it.     Why  not  set  us  the  example  ?  " 

**  We  are  doing  something  in  that  line,  Doctor,  yet  I 
acknowledge  that  the  progress  is  very  slow.  What  the 
world,  inside  and  outside  of  the  pales  of  the  Church, 
needs  is  to  feel  more  and  more  the  brotherhood  of  the 
human  race,  use  more  love  and  charity  in  our  dealings 
with  one  another;  and  I  believe,  Doctor,  as  God  raised 
up  Abraham,  Moses,  Luther,  Washington,  Lincoln  and 
many  others  for  a  special  purpose',  so  will  He  in  the 
fulness  of  time  raise  up  a  man  for  this  work,  so  much 
needed  now — the  Christian  fellowship  of  all  God's  chil- 
dren. It  seems  to  me  that  no  grander,  nobler  work  could 
be  done  in  this  century  than  to  teach  all  humanity  its 
dependence  upon  the  ruling  power  of  the  universe,  and 
its  duty  to  its  neighbor." 

"  Well,  preacher,  that's  fine,  but  as  long  as  there 
is  disease,  sorrow,  misery,  briers  and  thistles,  side  by 
side  with  joy,  happiness,  roses  and  violets,  just  so  long 
there  will  be  jealousies,  crimes,  sighs  and  '  Man's  inhu- 
manity to  man.'  " 

"Not  so,  Doctor.  The  presence  of  these  very  troubles 
ought  to  be  the  moving  cause  toward  a  closer  fellowship. 
Were  man  freed  from  all  these  things,  there  would  be  no 
such  need  of  fellowship,  sympathy  and  self-sacrifice;  and 
as  an  army's  greatest  heroism  and  valor  is  shown  when 


22  IT    MIGHT   BE. 

encountering  the  greatest  opposition,  so  is  it  individually. 
The  deeds  of  love  and  sacrifice  now  seen  on  every  hand 
would  soon  be  unknown,  were  that  which  called  them  forth 
removed.  Had  it  not  been  for  a  Conemaugh  flood,  the 
world  would  have  known  but  little  of  its  people,  and  the 
interest  now  felt  in  them,  and  the  love  which  leaped 
forth  from  a  nation's  heart  and  wound  those  sufferers  to 
its  bosom,  would  have  dwindled  away,  unused  and 
unknown.  Thousands  who  visit  Chicago  this  year  from' 
foreign  lands  would  have  known  very  little  of  the  city,  and 
probably  would  never  have  come,  had  it  not  been  for  the 
great  fire  and  the  subsequent  reports  of  its  great  rise  and 
wonderful  growth." 

They  were  now  nearing  the  foot  of  the  mountain. 
The  sun's  rays  were  just  touching  its  top,  lighting  it  into 
beauty  and  life.  The  sky  was  clear,  the  air  balmy,  and 
all  bid  fair  to  be  a  pleasant  day.  In  a  short  time  the 
by-road  they  were  following, had  dwindled  down  into  a 
cow-path,  up  which,  through  the  underbrush,  they  could 
drive  no  further.  Stopping,  they  unhitched  the  horses, 
and,  ■with  part  of  the  ropes  brought  along,  the  horses 
were  lariated  out.  Then  they  put  what  things  they  could 
into  the  game  bags,  threw  them  over  their  shoulders,  and, 
with  the  guns,  lanterns  and  such  other  things  as  they 
thought  they  Avould  need  thrown  over  their  arms,  they 
started  for  the  opening  in  the  mountain.  After  they  had 
been  traveling  up  the  mountain  side  through  the  brush, 
leaping  the  ravines  and  complaining  of  the  rough  roads, 
for  some  time,  now  and  then  looking  up  to  see  if  it  were 
possible  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  the  strange  object  won- 
dered at  the  day  before,  the  doctor  stopped,  saying  that 
he  was  played  out  and  must  rest,  and  that,  while  he 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  •  ^3 

rested,  Elverton  might  take  the  spy-glass  and  see  if  he 
could  find  their  balloon,  as  he  called  it. 

Elverton  took  the  glass  and  for  a  long  time  sat  and 
scanned  the  heavens  for  a  glimpse  of  it,  the  doctor  watch- 
ing him,  and  now  and  then  between  the  puffs — for  he  was 
a  very  fat  man,  and  had  stopped  for  lack  of  breath  as  well 
as  being  tired — asking  him  if  he  could  see  it.  Finally 
Elverton  excitedly  spoke  up : 

"  I  see  it,  I  see  it!  Just  where  we  left  it  yesterday," 
and  handing  the  glass  to  the  doctor,  he  said:  "Here, 
take  a  look  at  it.  Doctor." 

It  was  some  time  before  the  doctor  could  catch  sight 
of  it,  as  he  was  so  warm  and  excited  that  he  could  not 
hold  the  glass  still  enough  to  see  in  any  one  place  very 
long  at  a  time ;  but  at  last  he  did  see  it. 

"  Yes,  I  see  it.  Looks  like  a  monster  umbrella  wrong 
side  up  floating  around  up  there.  Is  it  something 
belonging  tc  the  earth,  or  is  it  some  meteor  or  comet 
stopped  to  cool  off  ?  It  must  have  shone  mighty  bright 
during  the  night,  and  I  wonder  why  we  did  not  see  it 
while  on  our  way  here.  I  should  like  to  know  who  could 
have  flown  that  great  thing  up  there,  and  what  his  object 
could  be  in  doing  so.  How  do  you  suppose  it  was  trans- 
ported here,  through  all  this  underbrush,  over  the  rocks 
and  across  the  gullies?" 

They  arose  and  started  on,  still  talking  about  the  object 
of  their  search.  After  what  seemed  to  them  tAvo  hours 
of  hard  walking  and  climbing,  they  came  to  the  uprooted 
tree  and  the  opening  in  the  mountain,  found  on  the 
day  before,  and  within  whose  recesses  they  had  but  little 
idea  of  what  they  were  to  find  and  what  its  value  to  the 
world  would  be  along  the  lines  their  conversation   had 


24  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

taken  sinc6  they  first  saw  it.  They  had  been  there  but  a 
few  moments  when  the  doctor  said  he  was  in  a  hurry  to 
secure  the  rope,  get  their  traps  together  and  get  down  into 
the  cave,  for,  he  said: 

' '  I  have  no  great  desire  to  remain  around  here  until 
we  have  another  such  occurrence  as  yesterday." 

Their  things  were  soon  ready,  one  end  of  the  rope  tied 
to  the  root  of  the  great  tree,  which  they  thouhgt  would  be 
strong  enough  to  hold  them,  the  guns  slung  over  their 
shoulders  by  straps  and  the  hatchets  and  lanterns  tied  to 
the  strap  of  the  game  bag,  that  they  might  have  free  use 
of  their  hands.  They  then  decided  that  the  preacher 
should  start  down  first,  followed  closely  by  the  doctor. 
The  start  was  made  and  down  they  both  went,  little 
dreaming  of  the  wonderful  experience  they  were  to  pass 
through. 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  25 


CHAPTER  II. 

"  Thy  voice  sounds  like  a  prophet's  word; 
And  in  its  hollow  tones  are  heard 
The  thanks  of  millions  yet  to  be." — Halleck. 

For  the  first  ten  or  twelve  feet  the  size  or  nature  of 
the  opening  did  not  chaiige  and  they  could  easily  lower 
themselves  by  stepping  from  rock  to  rock  down  the  sides, 
while  they  steadied  themselves  by  the  rope,  but  as  they 
descended,  the  rocks  became  damper  and  more  slippery, 
making  their  progress  very  slow.  They  descended  for 
about  twenty  feet;  part  of  the  time  they  could  ease 
their  descent  by  the  use  of  the  rocky  sides,  and  then  for 
a  few  feet  it  would  widen  out  so  broad  that  they  would 
have  to  lower  themselves  solely  by  the  use  of  the  rope. 
After  they  had  reached  a  depth  of  about  twenty  feet,  the 
sides  seemed  suddenly  to  be  cut  off,  and  below  them 
they  could  see  only  dark  vacancy.  As  to  the  depth  or 
size  of  the  room  below,  they  could  not  tell.  After  look- 
ing about  for  a  few  moments,  a  halt  was  called  and  a 
consultation  held.  After  much  talk,  some  about  giving 
it  all  up  and  returning,  they  decided  to  lower  the  lantern 
and  see  if  the  bottom  could  be  found.  The  rope  that 
dangled  beneath  them  was  now  pulled  up  and  the  lantern 
tied  to  the  end  thereof  and  then  lowered,  until  the  rope 
had  all  been  played  out.  The  lantern  now  hung  some 
twenty  feet  beneath  them,  and  by  its  dim  light  the 
preacher  thought  he  could  see  the  bottom  or  floor  of  the 
room. 


26  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

'"  I  see  the  bottom,  I  believe,"  he  said,  "  and  would 
like  to  be  there,  but  this  rope-climbing  is  new  business  to 
me,  and  I  am  getting  tired  of  it.  Can  you  make  the 
descent.  Doctor?" 

"  Guess  my  weight  will  take  me  down,"  he  answered. 
"  You  go  ahead,  and  I'll  follow." 

Slowly  they  lowered  themselves,  but  so  much  weight 
did  they  have  strapped  to  them,  that  it  soon  became  very 
hard  work.  Great  beads  of  sweat  stood  out  on  the  doc- 
tor's brow  and  trickled  down  from  his  nose  on  to  the 
preacher  below.  It  was  with  a  great  effort  that  he  could 
hold  on  at  all.  His  panting  sounded  much  like  the  puff- 
ing of  a  locomotive  in  the  distance,  yet  he  hung  on  with 
a  firm  grip,  even  surprising  himself  at  his  endurance. 
The  preacher,  who  was  much  lighter,  feared  much  better, 
yet  his  tender  hands  soon  began  to  feel  the  effects  of  the 
tight  grip  on  the  rope.  But  they  were  now  near  the  lan- 
tern, and  cheered  themselves  with  the  thought  that  they 
were  near  the  bottom.  A  queer  sight  it  certainly  was.  A 
hundred  and  fifty  pound  man,  wearing  his  long-tailed 
coat,  standing  collar  and  balance  of  the  usual  preacher's 
outfit,  and  above  him  a  two  hundred  and  forty  pounder, 
blowing  and  pufiing  like  a  steam  engine,  his  great  plug 
hat  waving  from  side  to  side;  and  yet,  gentle  reader,  this 
was  no  funny  matter  to  the  men  engaged  in  the  feat.  By 
and  by  the  preacher  reached  the  lantern,  and  found,  to 
his  consternation,  that  what  had  seemed  as  the  bottom 
was  only  a  cold,  damp  mist,  which  had  appeared  in  the 
glare  of  the  lantern  as  a  rock  bottom. 

"There's  no  bottom  here.  Doctor.  What  shall  we  do? 
I  can't  hang  on  much  longer.  My  hands  are  already 
blistered." 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  27 

"  I  don't  know,"  that  puffing  man  replied,  between 
the  puffs.     "  I  am  about  give  out." 

"  Can't  you  climb  up,  Doctor,  and  get  some  more 
rope  to  tie  to  the  end  of  this?"  hurriedly  exclaimed  the 
preacher,  as  visions  of  home  and  family  rapidly  passed 
before  his  mind.  And  to  be  lost  here.  Who  would  ever 
find  their  remains  and  tell  the  story  of  their  death? 

"  I  could  not  climb  up  an  inch  to  save  my  life,"  said 
the  doctor. 

"  Twist  the  rope  around  your  leg  to  help  hold  you," 
said  the  preacher  in  a  husky  whisper,  as  he  felt  the  rope 
quiver  and  thought  the  doctor  was  coming  down.  "Don't 
I  fall  and  knock  me  off  too,  Doctor." 

The  doctor  made  a  frantic  effort  to  twist  the  rope 
around  his  leg.  Dirt  began  to  fall  from  above.  The  rope 
was  sinking. 

"The  root  of  that  tree  is  breaking  loose,"  said  the 
now  terrified  doctor,  "  and  we  will  soon  fall.  What  shall 
we  do?" 

Death  seemed  to  be  reaching  out  with  his  cold,  icy 
fingers  for  them.  The  doctor's  frame  shook  with  a  chill, 
his  red  face  turned  to  one  cold  and  white,  his  eyes  stared 
and  he  could  scarcely  get  his  breath.  The  preacher 
began  to  offer  a  prayer  and  seemed  to  await  with  bated 
breath  the  coming  disaster.  The  suspense  was  terrible. 
The  root  would  break  loose  in  one  place,  only  to  stop 
with  a  jerk  as  it  caught  in  another.  Now  it  is  held  to 
the  tree  by  only  one  small  root. 

"  Oh,  why  did  I  come  to  die  in  this  way?"  said  the 
doctor.  "  Why  did  I  not  stay" — but  his  remarks  were 
cut  short;  there  was  a  jerk,  a  slip — it  caught — then 
slipped  again,  only  to  catch,  but  for  a  second  only.  Now, 


28  IT   MIGHT    BE. 

down  they  go.  Down,  down,  down — would  the  bottom 
never  be  reached?  Would  not  death  come  to  their  relief 
and  close  this  awful  suspense?  Over  thirty  years  of  the 
doctor's  life  passed  in  review  before  his  mind  in  those 
few  brief  seconds.  The  preacher's  mind  was  in  a  whirl. 
It  can  last  only  a  few  seconds.  There  is  a  splash,  a  few 
groans,  a  momentary  flash  and  a  loud  report  from  one  of 
the  guns,  when  preacher,  doctor,  hatchets,  guns,  rope, 
lunch,  roots,  etc.,  are  in  a  heap  together.  Mud  and 
water  fly  in  all  directions,  the  root  falls  upon  the  doctor's 
plug  hat  and  drives  it  firmly  down  to  his  shoulders. 
There  is  some  rapid  pawing  and  pushing  as  he  attempts 
to  get  it  off,  and  a  few  muttered  curses  escape  his  lips. 
The  preacher  offers  a  prayer  of  thanksgiving ;  the  long- 
tailed  coat  is  ruined,  the  plug  hat  is  past  redemption,  the 
cold,  damp  mud  covers  them  from  liead  to  foot.  The 
lights  in  the  lanterns  have  gone  out,  they  went  out  at  the 
first  downward  jerk,  and  all  is  dark,  dark  as  Egypt's 
darkest  night.  The  two  men  arose,  but  the  rope,  spy- 
glass, lunch,  etc.,  remained  quiet  and  pacified  in  the 
mud  below. 

"Well,  this  is  a  pretty  fix  to  get  into,"  said  the 
preacher,  for  he  was  the  leaner  of  the  two  and  could  get 
his  breath  quicker  than  the  doctor.  "  Where  are  we,  and 
when  will  we  ever  get  out  of  this  hole?  Have  you  a 
match.  Doctor?     Mine  are  all  wet." 

The  doctor  fumbled  awhile  before  he  could  get  through 
the  mud  and  find  his  pocket,  where  he  found  a  match- 
box, for  he  was  a  smoker  and  always  went  well  prepared 
for  a  light. 

"  Where  will  we  find  a  place  dry  enough  to  strike  a 
match  on,  now  that  I  have  found  it?"  he  said. 


JT   MIGHT   BE.  29 

"  Don't  know,  Doctor.  I  am  covered  all  over  with 
mud,  and  I  suppose  our  things  are,  too." 

"  Oh,  I  have  it,"  said  the  doctor.  "  My  hat  is  dry 
on  the  inside,  for  that  old  root  fell  right  on  top  of  it  and 
drove  it  on  so  hard  that  I  could  hardly  get  it  off." 

He  soon  had  a  light  struck,  but  the  globe  of  the  first 
lantern  he  fished  out  of  the  mud  was  broken ;  the  hatchet 
had  fallen  on  it.  Another  match  was  lighted  and  the  other 
lantern  found,  which  was  all  right,  except  being  covered 
with  mud.  It  was  lighted,  and  what  mud  be  could  get 
off  with  his  hand  and  handkerchief  was  removed,  but  the 
light  now  furnished  was  very  dim.  They  now  looked 
around  a  little,  but  the  light  was  so  dim  they  could  not 
see  either  sides  or  top  to  the  room.  A  strange  place.  The 
mud  was  five  or  six  inches  deep,  and  the  mist  was  so 
cold  that  it  caused  the  chills  to  creep  up  their  spines. 

''  I  would  like  to  know  how  we  are  ever  to  get  out  of 
this  prison.  We  must  be  fifty  feet  down  here  in  the 
mountain,  with  no  means  of  getting  out  there  again,  and 
no  means  of  communication  with  the  outside  world,  which 
knows  nothing  of  our  whereabouts.  Our  rope  is  here, 
instead  of  being  tied  to  the  root  of  that  tree  up  yonder,  as 
we  expected.  And  look,  Doctor,  at  the  bones  of  animals 
all  around  here,  which  have  fallen  down  this  same  open- 
ing and  never  found  a  way  out,  but  have  starved  to  death. 
I  tell  you  it  looks  discouraging  to  me." 

' '  If  it  had  not  been  for  this  mud,  we  would  have 
been  dead  now,  which-  would  be  preferable  to  starva- 
tion. Ugh,  look  at  the  bats  flying  around.  They  are 
messengers  of  ill  to  me. " 


30  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

"  Well,  Doctor,  we  had  better  make  the  best  of  our  sur- 
roundings and  see  if  we  cannot  find  a  way  out  of  this  den." 

They  picked  up  what  they  could  find  of  their  traps, 
shook  off  the  mud  and  started  to  find  a  way  out.  After 
wading  through  the  mud  and  mire  for  about  twenty  feet, 
they  came  to  the  side  of  the  room,  the  wall  of  which  was 
covered  with  soot  and  slime.  Along  this  wall  they  walked, 
looking  for  an  opening,  until  they  came  to  another  side, 
and  along  it  they  had  walked  for  a  few  yards,  when  they 
found  a  narrow  passage  in  the  wall,  which  was  so  high 
that,  with  the  feeble  light  of  their  lantern,  they  could  not 
see  the  top.  Down  this  alley  they  passed  for  some  dis- 
tance before  they  came  to  another  room,  through  which 
a  small  stream  flowed.  Here  they  stopped  for  some  time, 
while  they  endeavored  to  wash  some  of  the  mud  from 
their  persons  and  clothing.  It  was  a  long  time  before 
they  could  find  any  sign  of  an  opening  from  this  room, 
save  the  one  they  came  in  at.  The  doctor  thought  he 
could  make  out  the  dim  outline  of  an  opening  about  ten 
feet  from  the  floor  on  one  side,  and  they  soon  thereafter 
found  a  ledge  of  rocks  leading  up  to  a  rocky  shelf,  which 
seemed  to  lead  around  to  the  opening,  about  ten  feet  up 
from  the  floor.  They  then  concluded  to  climb  up  and 
see  if  a  way  out  could  be  found  up  there.  After  much 
toil,  slipping  back  and  pushing  up,  pufiing  and  blowing, 
they  reached  the  shelf,  and,  though  it  was  narrow,  man- 
aged to  pass  around  on  it  to  the  opening.  Here  the  doctor 
stopped  to  rest  again. 

*  *  We  are  making  slow  progress  toward  the  finding  of 
the  cause  of  those  sounds.  I  don't  see  anything  around 
here  that  would  cause  me  to  think  that  they  came  from 
any  place  I  have  seen  yet,  do  you,  Elverton?" 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  31 

"■  No,  I  do  not.  And  I  am  becoming  awful  sick  of 
our  task.  I  wish  we  were  back  at  Silverton.  But  I  see 
no  other  way  of  reaching  there  than  to  go  on  the  way  we 
are  and  find  an  opening  out  of  here." 

They  arose  and  started  down  the  narrow  way,  which 
was  so  very  limited  in  places  that  the  doctor  had  to  shed 
his  luggage  and  have  the  preacher  carry  it  ahead,  in  order 
for  him  to  be  able  to  get  through.  After  ten  or  twelve 
tight  places  had  been  squeezed  through,  they  came  out 
where  the  opening  was  larger  and  led  them  on,  first  to 
the  right  and  then  to  the  left,  when  finally  they  emerged 
into  a  large  room,  and  found  that  the  rock  they  were 
standing  on  was  a  shelf,  far  up  the  side  of  the  room.  The 
light  from  the  lanterns  was  not  strong  enough  to  allow 
them  to  see  either  ceiling  or  floor  of  the  room.  Some 
distance  off  to  the  right,  and  above  them,  they  could  see 
that  there  was  an  opening  through  the  ceiling  out  to  the 
daylight.  From  the  appearance  of  the  room,  and  the 
opening,  they  concluded  that  they  were  back  in  the  room 
they  had  so  suddenly  fallen  into  some  time  before.  Fol- 
lowing this  ledge  or  shelf  of  rock  along  the  wall  for  some 
distance,  they  came  to  another  opening  in  the  wall,  which 
led  directly  back  into  the  heart  of  the  mountain.  They 
searched  for  a  way  or  plan  to  reach  the  opening  in  the 
top,  for  a  long  time,  but  no  such  way  could  be  found. 
Thinking  it  was  their  only  show,  they  turned  down  the 
open  passageway,  and  had  walked  on  but  a  short  distance 
when  they  came  to  a  turn  therein,  down  which  they 
looked  and  were  astonished  to  see  bright  streaks  of  light, 
where  they  shot  through  small  cracks  in  the  end  of  the 
passageway.  It  was  plain  to  be  seen  that  the  light  was 
not  from  the  sun,  for  it  was  much  different  in  appearance. 


32  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

"  Let's  stop  here,"  said  the  doctor.  "  I  don't  know 
about  going  on  down  there.  I  think  there  is  a  fire  in  that 
room.  Don't  you  see  that  tliese  walls  are  all  covered 
with  soot,  just  as  the  first  room  was  we  got  into?  If  we 
go  on  down  there  it  will  be  hot." 

''  I  don't  see  any  other  way  out  of  this  place  than  in 
that  direction,"  was  the  reply.  I  think  we  had  better  go 
on  down  there  and  see  what  it  means.  That  may  not  be 
a  fire  which  we  see  there,  and  even  if  it  is  a  fire,  I  don't 
believe  it  can  be  far  from  the  surface,  and  we  may  be 
able  to  find  a  way  around  it  to  the  outer  world  again. 
Let's  go  and  knock  that  end  in  and  see  if  there  is  a  way 
of  escape." 

"Yes.  But  if  we  go  and  knock  it  in  and  find  the 
room  full  of  fire,  and  by  knocking  down  that  partition 
open  a  damper  into  this  smokestack  for  the  fire  and 
smoke  to  rush  into,  what  will  we  do  then?  I  want  to 
know  first,  before  we  make  any  rash  moves.  Elverton, 
there  is  too  much  Arabian  Nights,  of  a  dark  kind,  about 
this  trip  to  suit  me." 

"  We  shall  then  be  obliged  to  sit  down  here  and 
starve,  and  I  am  not  longing  for  any  such  experience  as 
that  just  now.  Doctor.  We  might  go  near  it  to  see  if  it 
is  hot,  at  least,  for  if  there  is  a  great  fire  beyond  we  shall 
be  able  to  find  it  out  before  there  will  be  any  necessity  of 
pushing  in  that  wall." 

"  All  right.  We  can  do  that  much.  You  go  ahead, 
Elverton.  You  are  leaner  than  I  am,  and  can  stand 
more  heat." 

They  had  hardly  started  toward  the  light  when  they 
were  riveted  to  their  tracks  in  astonishment,  for  there 
came  to  their  hearing  senses  such  sweet  melody,   such 


IT   MIGHT    BE.  33 

music  as  the  best  musicians  of  all  ages  could  not  half 
equal,  such  melody,  such  harmony,  so  sweet.  They  stood 
and  listened  for  some  time,  not  daring  to  move,  lest  the 
musician,  whoever  or  whatever  he  was,  should  be  fright- 
ened away.     But  it  soon  ceased,  and  all  was  still  again. 

"  What  strange,  uncanny  world  have  we  got  into, 
Elverton?  This  beats  anything  I  ever  heard  or  read  of. 
I  never  dreamed  of  such  music.  I  am  anxious  to  go  on 
and  find  out  about  it.  I  want  to  hear  it  again,"  said  the 
now  thoroughly  excited  doctor. 

"  Come,  let's  go  on  and  unravel  this  mystery.  There 
is  no  heat  here,  so  cannot  be  any  fire  there."  Here  the 
voice  of  the  preacher  was  drowned  by  a  series  of  pro- 
longed moans,  which  sounded  much  like  the  breaking  of 
the  waves  on  a  distant  shore.  They  would  ebb  and 
flow,  now  rise  in  intensity  and  then  sink  back  again;  now 
moan  quietly  as  if  the  wind  were  sighing  softly  through 
the  tree  tops ;  then  rise  until  the  roar  was  like  a  mighty 
Niagara.  For  fully  ten  minutes  they  stood  and  listened 
to  its  queer  sounds,  when  it,  too,  died  away,  and  all  was 
quiet. 

After  much  talk  and  conjecture  as  to  the  nature  of 
their  surroundings  and  dangers  which  might  be  before 
them,  it  was  decided  to  go  ahead  and  push  in  the  door. 
Their  guns  were  unstrapped  and  their  charges  examined, 
that  they  might  be  ready  for  instant  use,  should  it  be 
needed.  The  doctor  then  approached  the  door  and  pushed, 
but  it  held  fast.  They  both  put  their  shoulders  to  it  and 
gave  a  mighty  push.  It  gave  way  and  fell  in,  dropping 
some  three  or  four  feet  to  the  floor  below,  closely  followed 
by  the  two  men,  who  landed  in  some  such  a  mess  as  they 
did  in  the  first  room.     But  instead  of  the  dense  darkness. 


34  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

there  was  a  flood  of  brilliant,  yet  soft,  mellow  light.  Hast- 
ily they  arose,  but  were  riveted  to  their  places  by  the 
scene  before  them.  There  in  the  center  of  the  room, 
which  was  about  forty  feet  square,  stood  a  splendid  speci- 
men of  humanity.  His  eyes  were  tender,  yet  searched 
them  with  a  piercing  gaze.  He  was  apparently  of  about 
thirty  years  of  age,  of  medium  size,  and  well  proportioned. 
He  was  well  but  plainly  dressed,  and  seemed  as  much 
astonished  at  their  appearance  so  suddenly  as  they  were. 
But  the  man  was  not  the  strangest  sight  that  met  their 
gaze.  Scattered  around  the  room  were  such  things  as  but 
one  man  in  the  whole  Avorld  before  (and  that  the  man 
before  them)  had  ever  beheld.  They  stood  and  stared 
around  them  for  some  moments,  when  the  stranger  burst 
out  into  peal  after  peal  of  laughter;  and  no  wonder,  for  a 
more  comical  spectacle  could  hardly  be  imagined.  The 
two  men,  not  half  washed,  mud  and  soot  all  over  them, 
streaked  and  spotted,  staring  about  in  wonderment,  taken 
in  connection  with  their  sudden  and  ludicrous  entrance, 
was  enough  to  make  anybody  laugh.  It  was  quite  a  while 
before  he  could  control  his  laughter  enough  to  be  able  to 
speak;  our  two  friends  staring  about  like  two  owls  in  the 
meantime.     He  then  addressed  them : 

"What  does  this  mean?  Who  are  you,  and  what 
business  have  you  here  in  my  private  apartments?" 

In  a  trembling  voice,  for  he  was  greatly  excited,  the 
preacher  replied : 

"  We  hardly  know  who  we  are  ourselves,  and  what 
business  we  have  here,  and  how  it  all  happened;  we  can 
hardly  tell,  but  if  you  will  give  us  the  time  we  will 
try  and  explain." 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  35 

After  he  had  offered  them  a  seat  to  sit  upon,  he 
repHed  : 

"  Go  ahead,  stranger.  I  would  hke  to  know  how  you 
found  this  retreat  of  mine,  and  how  you  got  into  such  a 
fix  as  I  see  you  in  now." 

"  We  were  out  hunting  yesterday,  and  heard  some 
very  strange  sounds  coming  from  a  hole  in  the  side  of  the 
mountain,  and  while  we  were  listening  and  talking  about 
it,  we  caught  sight  of  some  strange  thing  flying  in  the  air, 
and  then  an  awful  electric  storm  passed  over  us,  which  so 
aroused  and  interested  us  that  we  concluded  to  come  out 
here  and  explore  it.  We  came,  and  when  we  were  lower- 
ing ourselves  mto  the  cavern,  the  rope  broke  loose  and  let 
us  down  into  the  darkest,  muddiest,  most  dreadful  place 
I  was  ever  in,  which  was  the  cause  of  the  sad  plight  you 
now  see  us  in.  From  there  we  wandered  around  a  long 
time  trying  to  get  out,  only  to  come  to  that  door,  and  in 
our  eagerness  to  find  the  cause  of  some  very  strange 
sounds,  which  we  heard  while  in  that  alleyway,  j)ushed 
in  the  door,  and  here  we  are.  Our  home  is  in  Silverton, 
ten  miles  away.  This  man  is  the  doctor  there.  His  name 
is  Ruttlidge.  My  name  is  Elverton,  and  I  am  the  Meth- 
odist preacher  there.  We  ask  your  pardon  for  having 
intruded  upon  you." 

"  Certainly,  I  pardon  you.  I  could  hardly  do  other- 
wise," he  said,  at  the  same  time  extending  his  hand  to 
the  wondering  men  before  him.  The  scene  was  so  ludi- 
crous that  he  again  burst  into  a  hearty  laugh,  which, 
though  somewhat  embarrassing  to  them,  they  could  but 
expect.  They  had  not  been  able  to  erase  all  the  mud 
from  their  clothes,  and  in  squeezing  along  between  the 
walls  of  the  passage  they  had  blackened  their  hands  and 


36  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

faces,  which  were  well  streaked  where  the  sweat  had  run 
down  tlieir  faces  and  they  had  endeavored  to  wipe  it  off 
with  their  sooty  hands.  Laughable  figures  they  were  as 
they  stood  in  the  dazzling  light,  which  filled  the  room. 
His  laughter  was  soon  under  control  and  he  addressed 
them: 

"I  perceive  that  you  are  astonished  at  what  your  eyes 
behold  and  would  probably  like  an  explanation  from  me, 
before  I  proceed  to  question  you  further.  I  had  not 
intended  that  any  eyes  but  my  own  should  see  these 
sights  for  awhile  yet,  but  you  are  here  and  I  might  as 
well  make  the  best  of  it.  These  sights  seem  strange  to 
you  and  this  light  you  are  not  used  to,  and  yet  I  will  show 
you  stranger  things  before  I  get  through  with  my 
explanation." 

The  two  men  could  not  help  staring  about  them,  so 
strange  were  the  sights  they  beheld.  In  the  center  of  the 
room,  on  a  raised  platform,  they  saw  a  large  glass  globe. 
It  was  about  ten  feet  high  and  six  feet  in  diameter  in  the 
center  and  was  nearly  in  the  shape  of  a  great  pear,  with 
the  pointed  end  upward.  It  had  been  made  whole  and  a 
small  door  had  been  cut  out  of  one  side,  into  which  a 
steel  door  had  been  fitted  air  tight.  The  globe  was 
divided  into  two  nearly  equal  rooms  by  a  partition,  which 
was  securely  fastened  to  the  glass  around  its  edges  by 
rivets,  which  were  headed  on  the  outside  of  the  glass. 
It  had  been  cemented  to  the  glass  until  it  was  air  tight. 
The  partition  was  so  thin  that  the  least  change  of  the 
conditions  upon  either  side  of  it  would  cause  a  correspond- 
ing move  in  the  partition.  It  would  have  taken  a  hun- 
dred to  have  made  a  block  of  metal  an  inch  thick.  This 
partition  now  shone  and  seemed  to  burn  brighter  than 


TT    MIGHT    RK.  37 

any  electric  light  they  had  ever  seen.  Upon  each  side  of 
the  partition  were  fixed  many  arms  of  copper,  securely 
held  there  by  bands  of  steel,  and  they  were  so  near  that 
the  naked  eye  would  have  said  that  they  touched  it,  but 
they  did  not,  except  when  the  partition  moved  to  them. 
These  arms  were  connected  to  copper  wires,  which  passed 
out  of  the  globe  through  the  door.  There  were  also  wires 
passing  out  at  each  end  of  the  globe,  which  passed  to 
machines  in  other  parts  of  the  room.  One  connected  to 
a  large  telephone,  another  to  a  large  storage  battery,  one  to 
two  great  air  pumps  and  many  other  machines  and  con- 
trivances within  the  room.  A  wire  was  also  noticed  that 
came  down  through  the  ceiling  and  connected  with  the 
partition,  and  from  the  opposite  side  of  that  connection 
another  one  extended  down  into  the  floor  of  the  cave. 
Upon  the  wall  to  the  right  of  where  they  stood  was  a  long 
lever  which  Avas  arranged  to  pass  down  over  a  long  scale 
upon  which  were  such  marks  as  these:  "  BC1523," 
"BC2348,"  ''BC1004,"  "BC149,"  "BC4,"  "AD70," 
"  AD1815,"  '' AD1862,"  and  many  other  such  charac- 
ters, each  being  opposite  a  dee])  notch  in  the  steel  frame. 

The  stranger  stepped  up  to  the  scale,  saying  as  he 
did  so : 

"  It  would  probably  be  best  to  let  the  machine  do  a 
little  talking  before  I  begin  to  explain  it,  then  you  will 
the  better  understand  what  I  shall  tell  you,"  saying 
which  he  pushed  the  lever  down  and  into  the  notch 
marked  '' BC4,"  when  there  was  a  transformation.  An 
electric  motor  at  the  other  side  of  the  room  began  to  hum, 
the  great  air  pumps  began  to  move,  the  light  quivered  and 
trembled,  flashed  and  sparkled  from  the  partition,  within 
the  globe,  the  wires  wliich  hung  within  the  two  sides,  or 


38  Tf  MIGHT   ftK. 

rooms,  of  the  globe,  soon  changed  from  black  to  red  and 
then  to  white,  so  hot  did  they  become.  A  long  lever  was 
fastened  near  the  motor  which  was  arranged  over  a  scale 
like  the  one  near  the  stranger,  and  this  was  seen  to  move 
slowly  up  nearer  and  nearer  the  slot  marked  "  BC4," 
which,  when  it  had  reached,  immediately  dropped 
therein,  with  a  sharp  click.  The  great  motor  now  ceased, 
and  three  or  four  small  machines  which  had  been  run- 
ning also  stopped.  The  partition  within  the  globe  moved 
as  the  ripples  on  a  little  pond,  then  the  wire  to  the  tele- 
phone quivered  a  moment,  when,  lo !  the  room  is  filled 
with  such;  music  as  our  friends  never  heard  before.  They 
acted  as  though  they  were  trying  to  hold  themselves  back 
from  the  machine,  then  they  would  start  up  toward  it 
and  then  recede.  Great  tears  rolled  down  their  cheeks, 
they  moved  sideways,  then  kneeled,  they  arose,  they 
laughed,  they  cried,  they  grasped  hands,  they  hugged 
each  other  and  went  through  all  sorts  of  maneuvers.  The 
preacher  looked  toward  the  ceiling  and  exclaimed : 

"  I  can't  stand  this.     I  shall  fly  away." 

The  doctor  only  sobbed,  as  great  swelling  sighs  shook 
his  frame  from  head  to  foot,  and  then  he  would  clasp  his 
hands  and  sob : 

"Oh,  my!     Oh,  my!" 

The  young  man  reversed  the  lever  and  the  story  the 
angels  sang  to  the  shepherds  was  over.  It  had  taken  its 
flight  far  out  into  space  again,  from  which  it  had  sprung. 

The  two  men  sat  down,  but  it  was  a  long  time  before 
they  ceased  to  laugh  and  the  tears  to  run  down  their 
cheeks  and  were  composed  enough  to  talk.  Then  they 
began  to  ask  questions. 

"  What  was  that  song  ?     Where  did  it  come  from  ?  " 


IT   MIGHT    RE.  39 

"  That  song,"  he  answered,  "  was  the  song  the  angels 
sang  to  the  shepherds  the  night  that  Christ  was  born, 
and  this  occurrence  I  will  now  give  you  happened  twenty- 
three  centuries  before  the  angels  sang  the  one  you  have 
just  heard,"  and  he  moved  the  lever  so  that  it  would 
point  to  ''BC2349." 

Again  the  motor  started,  again  the  pumps  began  their 
work,  the  machinery  around  the  room  began  to  move, 
but  it  was  much  longer  this  time  than  before  that  the 
notch  was  reached.  Very  slowly  the  finger,  near  the 
motor,  moved  down  the  scale  j^ast  the  numbers  "BC600," 
"BCIOOO,"  "  BC2000,"  on  higher  and  higher,  slower 
and  slower.  Would  it  never  reach  the  point  ?  Now  it 
nears  the  looked-for  mark.  There  is  a  click.  The  lever 
drops  into  the  slot.  The  machinery  ceases,  the  globe 
ripples  and  flashes  brighter  than  before,  the  wires  quiver; 
the  instrument  on  the  wall  clicks  out  a  few  sharp  sounds 
and  then  it  speaks. 

There  is  a  low,  rumbling  sound,  which  breaks  out  into 
a  mighty  roaring,  as  of  the  splashing  of  the  waves  on  a 
rock-bound  coast,  or  a  rushing  of  mighty  Avaters  down  a 
mountain  gorge,  then  a  roar  as  of  a  great  cataract,  min- 
gled ever  and  anon  by  the  sharp  peal  of  the  thunder,  now 
near  at  hand  and  then  far  off  its  mutterings  would  sound. 
Now  above  its  roar  could  be  heard,  faintly  at  first,  but 
soon  growing  distinct,  the  shrieks,  groans  and  shouts  of 
drowning  people.  The  doctor  jumped  to  his  feet  and 
rushed  toward  the  instrument  Avith  extended  hands,  as  a 
shriek  from  a  mother's  throat,  when  her  child  sank  be- 
fore her  eyes,  burst  from  the  instrument. 

The  shouts  were  all  in  a  strange  language,  and  the  only 
sound  they  could  understand  was  a  name  wliich  had  a 


40  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

resemblance  to  the  name  "Noah."  The  fearful  groans 
and  shrieks  so  wrought  up  their  feelings  and  they  became 
so  excited  that  the  stranger  was  obliged  to  reverse  the 
lever  and  send  back  to  its  home  in  the  long  ago,  the,  at 
one  time,  present  of  the  flood. 

*'  Don't  touch  any  more  such  scenes  as  that,  kind  sir, 
I  beg  of  you,"  said  the  doctor,  after  he  had  got  composed 
enough  to  talk. 

The  amazement  of  our  friends  was  now  at  its  highest 
pitch,  and  inquiringly  they  turned  to  the  stranger  and 
asked  for  a  solution  of  this,  to  them,  unanswerable 
problem. 

They  had  found  the  source  of  the  strange  sounds  heard 
the  da}'  before,  as  well  as  of  the  electric  storm,  but  as  to 
how  these  sounds  were  produced  was  to  tliem  a  mystery. 
Who  was  this  strange,  wonder-working  man?  Was  he  of 
a  tribe  who  could  at  the  least  whim  or  wish  step  over  into 
the  unseen  future  and  the  forgotten  past  and  read  its 
signs  and  solve  its  mysteries?  Whence  came  this  power, 
which  seemed  to  be  manifest  so  plainly  to  them  in  its 
effects  to-day? 

True,  this  is  an  age  of  surprises  and  strange  phe- 
nomena. Yes,  we  have  the  means  of  sending  thought 
with  lightning  speed  across  the  continent  and  plunging  it 
beneath  the  ocean's  wave,  but  who  ever  before  heard  of 
calling  it  down  into  the  present  from  the  dim  aisles  of 
the  distant  past  ?  Where  could  the  argument  be  found 
to  base  such  a  theory  on,  much  less  to  demonstrate  the 
actual  workings  thereof  ?  True  had  been  the  stranger's 
words':      ''  And  I  will  show  you  more  wonderful  things." 

Could  he  explain  it?  Would  he  explain  it,  or  would 
he  leave  them  here  in  the   depths  of  mystery?     Their 


IT    MIGHT    RE.  41 

anxiety  about  the  possibilities  of  a  return  home  liave  now 
been  quieted  by  a  greater  anxiety.  Could  this  unsolved 
be  solved  ?  They  now  begged  him  for  a  solution  of  this 
wonderful  mystery.  Bidding  them  to  be  seated  and  tell- 
ing them  that,  for  the  present,  he  did  not  wish  the  knowl- 
edge of  these  things  to  go  any  further,  he  seated  himself 
and  began. 


42  IT    \fI(!HT   BR, 


CHAPTER  in. 

"  My  name  is  Trafford  Allerton.  Thirty  years  ago 
this  month  I  first  saw  the  light  of  day  in  the  city  of  New 
York.  My  father  was  a  rich  merchant  and  he  gave  me  a 
good  chance  to  get  an  education.  From  the  first  I  took  a 
great  liking  to  the  study  of  electricity  and  the  other  forms 
of  natural  force,  eagerly  reading  all  I  could  get  on  these 
subjects  and  experimenting  some. 

"  As  soon  as  I  graduated  from  college,  I  was  placed  on 
the  road  to  sell  goods  for  our  store,  wliich  business  I  fol- 
lowed for  eight  years.  My  moral  and  religious  instruc- 
tion was  all  received  from  my  mother,  who  was  of  the 
most  gentle,  loving  disposition  I  ever  knew.  She  could 
not  bear  to  see  suffering  of  any  kind  without  an  effort  to 
alleviate  it.  Many  a  day  did  she  spend  in  some  of  the 
most  degraded,  sin-cursed  hovels  of  our  city,  trying  to 
teach  the  people  of  a  better  way  to  live  than  in  sin  and 
filth.  I  used  to  go  with  her,  even  when  a  little  boy,  and 
many  were  the  lessons  I  learned  while  with  her  on  these 
missions  of  mercy.  When  I  was  home  from  college  on 
vacation,  I  used  to  go  with  her,  and  when  sent  out  on  the 
road  the  habits  and  disposition  she  had  taught  me  did 
not  leave,  and  my  greatest  enjoyment  was  found  while 
out  on  such  errands.  I  did  these  things  because  I  had 
been  so  taught  and  could  find  more  pleasure  in  that  than 
any  other  way.  I  did  it,  not  so  much  for  the  good  that 
was  done  to  those  who  received  the  attention  as  for  my 
own  enjoyment.  It  was  great  enjoyment  to  me,  to  see 
then-  surprise  at  having  a  man  who  was  a  total  stranger 


If  mau'v  nK.  43 

to  them  call  and  talk  to  them,  wait  on  the  sick,  take  in  a 
few  delicacies,  or  drop  a  few  dollars  into  some  poor  per- 
son's hand.  The  tears  would  start  in  their  eyes  and  they 
would  look  up  with  such  a  ray  of  sunshine  in  their  faces 
as  I  could  not  forget  for  many  days.  I  love  this  work. 
It  is  supreme  happiness  to  me.  As  I  passed  from  the 
counting  rooms  of  the  rich  bankers  and  merchants  into  a 
poor,  cold,  diseased  hovel,  or  from  some  of  the  overladen 
cornfields,  wheat  stacks  and  fat,  sleak  stock  of  the  Western 
plains  back  again  to  the  poor  man's  home  in  the  city,  I 
often  pondered  over  the  question,  who  is  to  blame  for  this 
unequal  distribution  ?  Sure  Nature  does  her  part.  Then 
comes  the  question,  does  man  do  his  part  ?  And,  if  not, 
why  does  he  not  ?  He  is  the  one  to  be  benefited  thereby. 
Can  it  be  that  he  is  insensible  to  the  cries  of  want  and  the 
sighs  of  suffering,  or  is  he  forgetful,  thinking  only  of  self, 
while  millions  suffer  for  what  the  few  have  stored  up  for 
years  to  come.  Why  tliis  lack  of  brotherhood  ?  Why 
this  striding  and  pushing  like  a  pack  of  wolves  ?  I  have 
known  honest,  straightforward  men  to  be  ruined,  finan- 
cially, by  some  old  knave,  who  lived  in  luxury  the  bal- 
ance of  his  days,  while  his  poor  victim,  a  noble,  refined 
man,  eked  out  a  miserable  livelihood  by  some  drudgery, 
or  finally  laid  down  on  a  charity  cot  in  some  hospital  to 
die,  his  remains  to  return  to  the  dust  in  the  potter's  field. 
I  made  the  subject  a  study,  and  my  research  only  met  the 
same  answer  at  every  advance  step  therein,  '  Man's 
inhumanity  to  man  makes  countless  thousands  mourn.' 
'Tis  not  Nature,  nor  Nature's  God  to  whom  we  can  point 
the  blame.  The  Western  plains  invite  millions  to  a  happy 
home,  but  the  poor,  degraded  wretch  within  the  tenement 
house  cannot  be  induced  to  go  there.     Why  ?     No  faith 


4-4  IT    MIflHT    P.P.. 

in  the  person  who  tells  lum  of  the  broad  fertile  plains. 
Afraid  it  is  some  scheme  of  land  sharks  to  beat  him.  He 
knows  of  no  better  place  than  where  thrive  the  inequal- 
ities of  the  great  city  and  will  not  believe  the  recital  of 
the  facts  about  the  great  expanse  of  territory  there.  No 
faith  in  man  the  real  cause .  Had  he  always  met  only  honest 
men,  who  meant  his  good,  as  well  as  their  own;  had  his 
inherent  faith  in  humanity  never  been  shaken,  his  cry 
would  be,  '  Westward  ho !  '  and  acres  would  teem  with 
abundant  harvests  at  his  touch.  Were  it  not  for  a  lack 
of  faith  in  humanity,  the  capital  could  be  found  to  open 
many  a  new  mine  in  the  West,  start  many  a  new  mill 
wheel  and  send  to  work,  at  good  wages,  thousands  of  idle 
workmen.  It  is  not  a  lack  of  demand,  but  a  lack  of  faith 
and  brotherly  love  to  satisfy  that  demand,  that  is  holding 
the  human  race  fettered  and  bound.  Could  the  cry, 
misery  and  pain  of  suffering  mortality  go  up  unceasingly 
before  the  ears  of  those  who  were  the  cause  of  it,  coupled 
with  the  knowledge  that  the  whole  human  race  knew  of 
their  dastardly  deeds  and  were  listening  to  their  hard 
speeches  and  cruel  demands,  there  would  be  a  loosening 
of  the  reins  drawn  so  tightly  now  through  the  mouth  of 
many  a  hard-pressed  man. 

"  I  studied,  thought  and  wondered  if  no  way  could  be 
found  whereby  these  demands,  made  away  from  the 
world's  ear  and  carried  out  behind  the  screen,  Avhile  the 
play  was  being  carried  on  before  the  curtain  to  draw  the 
attention  in  another  direction,  could  be  shown  up  before 
the  world  just  as  it  existed. 

"  A  word  once  spoken  can  never  be  unspoken;  a  deed 
once  done  can  never  be  undone;  a  blow  once  struck  will 
remain  a  struck  blow  through  eternity;   aery,  however 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  45 

low  or  high,  is  a  cry  forever ;  a  sigh  once  having  escaped 
the  breast  has  flown  beyond  our  power  to  call  it  back ;  a 
tear  once  spattered  out  of  tear  pond,  by  the  fall  of  sorrow 
or  pain,  will  never  be  gathered  back  again;  the  shriek  of 
the  injured,  the  cry  of  the  heart-broken,  the  curse  of  the 
blasphemer,  the  lie  of  the  liar,  the  song  of  the  singer,  the 
tender  word  of  the  mother,  the  harsh  word  of  the  master, 
the  speech  of  the  politician,  the  sermon  of  the  preacher, 
yea,  and  more  too,  once  sent  adrift  on  its  mission,  never 
more  returns  to  its  source.  Results. may  be  gathered 
therefrom,  generation  after  generation,  but  the  original  is 
past  calling  back.  The  tasted  apple  in  the  garden,  the 
rejected  mercy  at  Sodom,  the  fearful  speech  of  Regulus, 
the  edicts  of  Nero,  the  agonizing  cry  of  Elizabeth,  will 
never  listen  to  the  call,  '  Come  back,  oh,  come  back.' 

"Then  I  asked  myself,  where  are  these  sighs  and 
groans,  these  shouts  and  curses  ?  Have  they  not  flown 
heavenward  ? 

' '  One  day  I  had  the  privilege  of  taking  a  ride  in  a  bal  - 
loon,  and  I  noticed  as  we  rose  higher  and  higher  that  the 
barking  of  the  dog,  the  lowing  of  the  cattle  and  the  shouts 
of  friends  could  be  heard  with  wonderful  distinctness.  I 
then  reasoned  that  these  sounds,  which  are  but  ethereal 
motion  and  activity,  must  be  like  a  moon  or  sun,  which, 
thrown  out  into  space  by  the  hand  of  the  Great  Maker, 
will  fly  on  and  on  forever,  and,  as  the  earth,  the  sun  and 
all  the  celestial  bodies  we  know  anything  about,  as  well 
as  the  electric  currents,  seem  to  fly  around  an  orbit,  how- 
ever small  or  vast  that  may  be,  why  not  these  sounds  be 
as  other  phenomena,  some  of  which  we  understand.  May 
they,  too,  not  be  flying  on  and  on  around  some  vast  orbit, 
where  they  have  been  going  since  they  were  first  sent 


46  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

adrift  by  their  originator.  I  then  asked  myself  this  ques- 
tion :  If  this  theory  is  true,  where  are  those  orbits  ? 
Where  is  the  track  around  which  is  hastening  the  ethereal 
motion  caused  by  God's  call  to  Adam,  *  Where  art  thou?' 
the  speech  of  the  angels  to  Abraham,  the  answer  of  Pha- 
raoh to  Moses,  the  shouts  of  the  victorious  and  the  wail 
of  the  defeated  in  Caanan's  wars,  the  sounds  of  the  arii- 
sans  building  Babel,  the  thunders  of  Sinai,  the  music 
of  David's  singers,  the  boast  of  Goliath,  the  cry  of  Jesus, 
'Jerusalem,  oh,  Jerusalem,'  the  triumphant  shouts  of 
the  martyrs,  the  boom  of  Waterloo's  guns,  the  cracking 
of  the  flames  at  Moscow,  the  sighs  of  Valley  Forge,  the 
shouts  at  Lookout  Mountain,  the  wail  of  the  afflicted,  the 
cry  of  the  hungered  and  the  billions  of  other  sounds  ? 

''God  says:  'My  word  shall  not  return  unto  me 
void.'     A  circuit  or  an  orbit  is  mentioned  here. 

' '  Every  breath  we  breathe  changes  the  conditions  of  the 
atoms  of  existence ;  every  blow  we  strike  displaces  num- 
berless atoms,  never  again  to  find  their  former  place. 
The  word  spoken  forces  out  the  atoms  of  ether  from  the 
lungs,  which  in  turn  must  force  back  other  atoms,  that  a 
place  may  be  found  for  them,  and  they  in  turn  press  out 
others,  and  so  on  and  on  through  immensity  and  eternity. 
Then  why  not  these  motions  find  a  level,  where, 
unhindered,  they  might  go  on  forever,  as  does  light, 
through  immensities  of  space  and  countless  generations 
of  time,  to  dart  its  rapid  ray  into  the  mirror  of  the  eye, 
centuries  after  it  left  its  source,  trillions  of  miles  away, 
and,  as  a  wave  moves  out  in  all  directions  from  the  point 
of  disturbance,  so  does  light,  thus  illuminating  millions 
of  worlds.  It  must  be  true,  I  thought.  But  where  is 
this  realm  of  sound  ?     Can  it  be  above  the  region  of 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  47 

atmospheric  pressure,  where  it  can  fly  about,  as  a  bird 
above  the  surface  of  the  lake,  in  its  natural  place  ?  And, 
if  my  theory  was  true,  how  was  I  to  demonstrate  it  ? 
How  make  use  of  these  currents  to  light  our  darkened 
memories,  as  the  electrician  uses  the  electric  spark  to 
lighten  our  darkened  streets  at  night  ? 

"Many  days  and  nights  I  studied  this  enigma,  ponder- 
ing and  experimenting  until  at  last  I  conceived  an  idea 
of  a  contrivance,  like  this  you  see  here. 

"I  asked  my  father  for  a  year's  rest,  which  was  readily 
granted,  together  with  what  funds  I  might  need.  I 
then  went  to  the  different  manufactories  and  ordered  that 
which  I  thought  would  be  necessary  in  my  experiments. 
My  next  difficulty  was  to  find  a  place  where  I  might  try 
the  experiment  unseen  and  alone.  I  visited  many  sec- 
tions of  the  country,  but  found  that  all  the  places  that  I 
saw  had  the  objections  of  being  either  too  far  from  the 
railroad  or  of  being  frequented  too  often,  until  I  found 
this  old  worn-out  mine,  which  I  thought  would  just 
answer  my  purpose,  but  your  intrusion  here  to-day  proves 
that  I  was  mistaken  even  in  this.  I  supposed  that  here 
no  curious  eye  would  look  in  upon  me,  and  yet  it  was 
near  enough  to  Silverton  for  me  to  easily  transport  my 
materials  from  the  railroad  here.  These  things  were 
shipped  to  Silverton.  I  hired  a  team  and  had  but  little 
trouble  in  moving  them  here  by  the  road  once  used  in 
hauling  away  the  coal. 

"It  took  me  a  long  time  to  clear  away  the  rubbish  and 
mud  which  had  congregated  in  and  around  this  old  mine 
since  it  had  been  vacated.  But  after  a  good  deal  of  real 
hard  work  it  was  accomplished,  and  I  began  my  experi- 
ment in  real  earnest. 


48  IT   MIGHT    BE. 

"  The  globe  there  was  first  erected,  as  you  now  see  it, 
but  not  until  many  attempts  at  it  had  been  made  and 
only  a  failure  the  result.  You  see,  it  weighs  over  a  ton, 
and  for  one  man  to  roll  it  upon  that  foundation  and  then 
to  erect  it,  took  a  long  time  and  the  help  of  a  good  many 
ropes  and  pulleys,  but  the  task  was  accomplished  and  I 
had  it  secured  in  its  place.  That  partition  you  see,  Avhich 
divides  the  globe  into  two  rooms,  I  was  a  week  in  placing 
in  position  and  cementing  air  tight.  It  is  made  of  the 
finest  of  steel ;  the  manufacturer  said  it  was  the  finest 
piece  of  workmanship  they  ever  did  and  it  is  of  great 
strength,  though  only  one-one-hundredth  of  an  inch  in 
thickness.  Those  air  pumps  were  then  placed  in  position 
and  a  connection  made  from  one  of  them  to  the  upper 
room  in  the  globe  and  from  the  other  to  the  lower  room  in 
the  globe.  Those  wires  through  each  room  were  then 
placed  there.  Their  use  is  to  aid  the  pumps  in  creating 
a  more  rarified  condition  of  the  atmosphere  w^ithin  the 
globe  by  being  heated  with  a  current  of  electricity  from 
the  dynamo  yonder.  The  telephone  speaking  boxes, 
phonograph,  electric  lights,  registers,  levers  and  other 
machinery  you  see  here  were  then  placed  in  position  with 
their  proper  connections  and  I  began  work  on  the  con- 
trivance which  I  expected  to  act  as  the  connecting  link 
between  the  contrivances  in  this  room  and  the  supposed  to 
exist  sound  orbits  which,  as  far  as  I  knew,  might  be  a 
hundred  miles  away  up  yonder  toward  the  sun.  I  had 
procured  for  this  purpose  a  large  balloon,  over  which  was 
secured  a  thin  plate  of  copper  one  hundred  feet  in  diam- 
eter, much  like  a  great  umbrella,  with  the  balloon  as  the 
handle.  The  copper  roof  was  connected  by  a  wire  to  the 
storage  batteries   and  the  partition  in  this   room.     My 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  49 

reasoning  on  this  point  was  like  this :  If  it  is  possible  to 
send  an  electric  current  from  the  roof  of  a  moving  train  to 
a  wire  stretched  on  telegraph  poles  along  the  track  and  to 
receive  a  current  therefrom  without  connections,  I  can, 
on  the  same  principle,  complete  the  circuit  through  my 
powerful  storage  batteries  and  copper  plate  roof,  so  as  to 
tap  the  current  flying  through  its  orbit  up  there. 

"  All  was  at  last  ready,  and  two  Aveeks  ago  last  Mon- 
day I  arose  from  my  bed,  where  I  had  slept  but  little  the 
past  few  nights,  the  interest  in  my  work  being  so  great, 
quivering  with  excitement  and  anxious  to  try  my  ma- 
chinery. I  did  not  stop  to  cook  any  breakfast,  but  took 
a  cold  lunch.  By  eight  o'clock  I  had  the  balloon  filled, 
the  copper  sheet  adjusted  and  firmly  attached  to  the 
ribs  supporting  it,  and  all  fastened  to  the  top  of  the  bal- 
loon. From  the  copper  sheet  I  secured  the  wire,  two 
miles  long,  the  other  end  of  which  was  connected  with 
the  machinery  in  here.  All  was  ready  and  I  stepped  to 
the  reel,  and,  not  without  some  haste  and  excitement,  I 
allowed  the  rope  holding  the  balloon  to  play  out,  and  it 
rapidly  arose.  Up  it  went,  higher  and  higher,  until  the 
two  miles  of  wire  and  rope  had  been  played  out.  I  then 
rushed  down  to  this  room  to  view  the  progress  of  my 
experiment  and  to  complete  the  preparations.  Nothing 
strange  could  I  see;  not  a  sound  in  the  telephone;  not  a 
spark  of  electricity  was  shown  by  the  register,  from  which 
I  could  see  that  no  circuit  had  yet  been  formed.  I  then 
started  the  air  pump  connected  with  the  lower  globe 
room  and  allowed  it  to  run  until  the  automatic  stop-cock 
closed  it,  thus  indicating  that  it  could  exhaust  no  more. 
An  electric  current  was  then  run  through  the  wire  in  that 


50  IT    MIGHT    BK. 

room,   and  had  been  going  on  but  a  few  moments  when 
the  partition  fell  with  a  crash. 

"  The  experiment  was  all  stopped  then  for  that  time, 
or  until  the  damage  was  repaired.  Impatiently  I  wound 
down  the  balloon  and  allowed  the  hot  air  and  gas  to 
escaj^e  and  went  to  work  again  to  secure  the  steel  ])artition 
in  position.  This  time  I  secured  it  with  these  stay  bolts, 
which  were  passed  through  the  glass  and  secured  with 
taps  on  the  outside.  During  the  next  three  days  and 
part  of  the  nights  I  worked  before  it  was  again  ready  for 
trial,  but  a  lesson  had  been  learned.  I  had  been  taught 
that  no  partition  that  I  could  place  in  that  glass  globe 
could  stand  the  air  pressure  from  above,  so  in  the  future 
I  would  exhaust  each  room  alike  and  thus  remove  the 
immense  pressure  from  the  partition.  Again  all  was 
ready  and  the  balloon  sent  up ;  again  the  pumps  were 
started ;  but  this  time  both  were  started  together.  This 
work  proceeded  until  both  stops  had  closed  and  the 
current  then  sent  through  the  lower  room,  that  the  condi- 
tions surrounding  the  lower  pole  might  be  the  same  as 
that  around  the  upper  one,  two  miles  up  in  the  air.  This 
was  soon  stopped  and  a  connection  made  between  the 
storage  battery  and  the  steel  partition,  which  at  once 
began  to  glisten  with  the  electric  current  passing  through 
it.  I  next  noticed  that  a  piece  of  wood,  which  came  in 
contact  with  the  wire  up  near  the  roof,  was  smoking,  and 
I  then  knew  that  a  circuit  had  been  formed  somewhere 
above.  The  lever  which  connected  the  telephone  with 
the  instrument  had  now  to  be  moved,  and  so  great  was  my 
excitement  that  I  could  hardly  move  that  little  lever 
where^I  wanted  it. 

"  You  will  never  be  able  to  imagine  the  leap  my  heart 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  51 

took  when  the  telephone  gave  out  a  few  sharp  clicks, 
similar  to  those  from  a  telegraph  instrument,  yet  that  was 
all,  and  after  awhile  I  sat  down  discouraged  and  wondered 
what  next  to  do.  By  and  by,  I  thought  I  would  let  a  lit- 
tle air  into  the  upper  room,  for  the  conditions  in  the  globe 
might  not  be  the  same  as  those  at  the  other  end  of  the 
wire. 

"  Well,  just  what  happened  I  do  not  know.  The  room 
seemed  to  suddenly  fill  with  balls  of  lightning,  and  the 
blanket  in  the  door  there  took  its  flight;  then  the  moun- 
tain tremlsled  and  quaked;  I  heard  an  awful  report,  and 
when  I  awoke  and  looked  at  my  watch  I  saw  that  time 
had  flown  on  two  hours.  There  was  no  change  within  the 
room,  except  that  the  wire  from  above  had  been  burned 
off  and  now  hung  swinging  from  the  ceiling.  I  went  out 
and  looked  around.  I  saw  trees  uprooted,  actually  pulled 
out  by  the  roots;  great  rocks  had  been  loosened  and 
rolled  down  into  the  valley  below.  All  was  confusion 
about  the  mountain  top." 

Our  friends  looked  at  each  other,  and  the  doctor  spoke 
up: 

'*  This  explains  what  we  could  not  understand  yester- 
day, about  the  conditions  on  tlie  other  side  of  the  moun- 
tain; and,  by  the  way,  did  you  not  have  a  miniature  affair 
of  this  kind,  yesterday,  friend?" 

"  Yes,  I  forgot  to  make  the  proper  connections  at  one 
time,  and  before  I  could  get  to  that  lever  yonder,  it  had 
begun  to  shake  things  up  a  little,"  he  answered,  and  then 
continued : 

"Well,"  to  continue,  "I  soon  concluded  that  I  had 
made  a  connection  with  a  mightier  current  up  there  than 
I  had  intended.     I  then  determined  to  try  the  machine 


52  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

without  charging  the  partition  so  heavy,  and,  before  be- 
ginning again,  a  safety  connection  was  run  down  into  the 
ground  to  moist  soil,  so  that,  if  found  necessary,  I  miglit 
switch  the  business  off  into  the  ground  if  it  made  a  show 
of  too  much  power.  Tlie  pumps  and  electric  current 
again  did  their  duty,  and,  when  all  was  ready,  the  con- 
necting lever  was  again  moved  and  I  suddenly  became 
aware  that  a  mighty  battle  of  words  was  being  turned 
loose  here.  I  heard  the  shouts  of  officers  and  men,  the 
boom  of  cannon  and  the  rattle  of  musketry,  the  groans  of 
the  dying  and  the  shouts  of  the  victorious,  until  I  stood 
horror  struck  and  could  stand  it  no  longer,  so  turned  on 
the  air  and  it  instantly  ceased. 

"  A  happier  and  more  astonished  man  could  not  have 
been  found  in  all  Pennsylvania  than  I  was  just  at  that 
time.  My  theory  for  the  changing  of  the  ambitions  of 
the  human  race  was  to  be  realized  at  last.  The  pana- 
cea for  the  ills  and  the  sorrows  of  the  human  race  had 
been  found,  for  where  was  there  to  be  found  a  man  who 
would  do  many  wicked  acts,  when  he  knew  that  those 
very  acts  and  words  would  be  public  property  at  once. 

"  But  I  soon  found  that  there  were  still  great  difficul- 
ties in  the  way.  This  sound  of  battle  would  not  do  it  all. 
I  must  solve  the  way  to  reach  all  the  other  sound  orbits 
and  bring  out  their  secrets.  I  tried  the  machine  again 
and  again  and  soon  found  that  the  different  orbits  were 
reached  by  the  difference  in  the  air  within  the  two  rooms 
in  the  globe.  The  more  rarified  the  air  the  higher  and 
older  the  circuit  of  sound  it  would  reach,  and  I  soon 
learned  the  amount  it  took  to  reach  a  certain  height  or 
date.  The  amount  of  electricity  that  it  used  on  the  par- 
tition also  affects  the  reach  of  the  machine.       With  the 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  53 

machine  I  have  not  been  able  to  reach  an  earher  period 
than  B.  C.  3,000  yet. 

"  It  seems  as  years  rolled  on  and  new  sounds  or  dis- 
turbances were  produced,  the  former  ones  were  forced 
higher  and  higher,  until  the  machine  that  will  go  higher 
than  B.  C.  3,000  must  be  extremely  sensitive.  I  have 
arranged  the  amounts  of  electricity  and  exhaustion  of  the 
globe  rooms  necessary  to  reach  a  given  period,  under  con- 
trol of  these  marked  notches,  and  can  give  you,  on  short 
notice,  for  research  around  a  certain  date,  any  sound  ever 
made,  from  Noah's  time  down  the  avenue  of  ages  to  the 
present  time. 

"Let  us  further  demonstrate  its  power,"  he  said,  as 
he  stepped  to  the  register  and  moved  the  lever  to  a  slot 
marked  "Now,"  saying  at  the  same  time  that  he  had 
not  perfected  the  machine  so  that  he  could  get  down  to  the 
hours,  but  he  could  come  within  a  day  of  any  time  no 
more  remote  than  a  hundred  years,  and  that  it  was  not 
so  complete  that  it  would  not  now  and  then  attract  an 
unlooked-for  current,  which  would  make  the  old  moun- 
tain tremble.  They  remembered  that  only  yesterday  it 
cut  up  just  such  a  caper  as  that.  He  was  interrupted 
here  by  a  shout,  and  then  the  following  began  : 

"  Mr.  Chairman,  Ladies  and  Gentlemen: — I  am  much 
pleased  at  having  this  opportunity  of  talking  to  this  vast, 
bright  and  intelligent  audience  on  the  political  issues  of 
the  day." 

"  Enough  of  that   political  speech  to  suit   me,"  said 

the  operator,  as  he  stepped  to  the  side  of  the  room  and 

slightly  moved  a  lever,  which,  he  said,  caused  the  copper 

.  cover  of  the  balloon  to  tilt  to  one  side  and  thus  to  attract 

another  current,  which  was  soon  manifest  by  a  sound  of 


54  IT   MIGHT    BE. 

glasses,  the  low  curse  and  drunketi  laughter  from  some 
saloon.  Again  the  lever  was  changed  and  the  sound  of 
voices  in  the  Chinese  language  was  heard.  The  next 
change  brought  the  sounds  made  by  an  immense  flock  of 
geese  in  some  Northern  lake.  After  a  few  more  changes 
there  was  heard  the  sound  of  a  locomotive  whistle  and  the 
cry  of  a  brakesman,  '' Silverton,"  and  the  operator  sat 
down  with  our  friends  to  listen.  Soon  a  voice,  which  the 
doctor  recognized  as  from  one  of  his  patients,  piped  out: 

"  Well,  I  don't  care  what  you  say  about  it,  that  doc- 
tor charged  an  awful  price,  anyway.  He  knew  full  well 
that  we  would  pay  his  bill,  so  worked  it  to  keep  me  down 
just  as  long  as  I  could  stand  it.  You  was  a  fool  for  pay- 
ing it,  sir,  and  I  don't  care  who  knows  it  either." 

The  machine  then  seemed  to  catch  up  another  current 
from  the  same  city,  and  our  friends  recognized  the  voices 
of  two  prominent  business  men  in  a  heated  difficulty 
over  some  business  matter.  The  train  then  made  a  great 
noise  as  it  rumbled  into  town,  a  wagon  was  heard  passing 
over  the  pavement,  a  child  cried,  a  boy  yelled,  and  all 
sorts  of  sounds  came  on.  Then  came  the  sound  from 
some  old  woman  gossip,  in  a  whisper: 

' '  They  do  say  that  Preacher  Elverton  is  making  love 
to  Betty  Popkins.  Wonder  what  his  wife  would  say  if 
she  knew  it?" 

The  operator  noticed  the  color  in  the  preacher's  face 
come  and  go  and  he  seemed  to  be  ill,  so  he  shut  off  the 
thing,  lest  the  preacher  should  faint. 

Then  up  spoke  the  doctor,  who  had  been  so  mad  at 
what  he  had  heard  about  himself  that  he  had  hardly 
noticed  wliat  had  been  said  about  the  preacher : 

"Yes,  that's  it.     Ride  night  after  night  at  the  beck  and 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  55 

nod  of  a  cranky  old  woman,  only  to  be  cursed  for  it  at 
last.     The  next  time  she  sends  for  me  I'll  be  away. " 

"That  was  not  half  as  bad  about  you  as  about  me, 
Doctor,"  said  the  preacher.  "What  do  you  think  of 
that?  Did  you  know  that  I  was  sparking  another  woman 
than  my  wife?  I  believe  I  know  the  voice  and  I'll  go 
and  astonish  her,  you  may  rest  assured,  by  telling  her 
that  I  heard  her  say  it.  Guess  it  will  cure  her  of  gossip- 
ing, for  a  while  at  least.  But,  sir,  when  it  becomes 
known  that  such  a  machine  is  in  existence,  won't  it  have 
a  wonderful  tendency  to  keep  people's  mouths  closed  on 
things  which  ought  not  to  be  uttered?  The  long  looked 
for,  prayed  for,  cure  for  these  ills  of  the  human  race." 

"Yes,"  spoke  up  the  operator,  "  with  this  machine  I 
can  catch  the  last  gasp  and  word  of  the  murdered  man 
and  detect  the  murderer,  if  he  spoke  or  made  a  noise,  and 
find  out  the  cause  if  a  wordy  battle  led  to  the  act.  I  can 
trace  to  its  rightful  source  any  scandal,  hear  a  million 
things  not  intended  for  the  public  ear ;  parade  before  the 
world  the  words  and  tone  used  by  the  man  who  drives 
the  poor  widow  from  the  last  roof,  and  record  the  last  sigh 
and  sob  of  the  afflicted ;  the  hard  speeches  of  men  against 
their  neighbors;  the  secret  consultation  of  the  robber 
band  planning  for  the  next  crime ;  show  up  the  home- 
life  of  one  who  makes  such  a  high  profession  and  prove 
the  truth  or  falsity  thereof,  and  thousands  of  other 
things." 

A  long  time  they  talked  about  the  possibilities  of  the 
invention.  Many  a  question  our  friends  put  to  the  stran- 
ger, and  among  other  things  he  told  them  that  he  expected 
to  so  perfect  the  machine  that  he  could  take  up  the  cur- 
rent for  any  hour  and  any  part  of  the  world  as  he  wished. 


56  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

He  said  that  he  had  not  yet  learned  the  exact  order  of 
these  currents  and  much  guess  work  was  necessary  before 
finding  the  one  looked  for.  He  told  them  that  he  hoped 
with  its  use  to  change  the  affairs  of  government,  by  cut- 
ting out  all  dishonesty,  and  stop  a  greater  part  of  the 
crimes  of  the  present  time  by  being  informed  of  their 
plans  before  their  execution.  A  more  equal  distribution 
of  the  wealth  would  be  brought  about,  by  causing  the 
wealthy  to  know  more  of  the  needs  and  suffering  of  the 
poor,  and,  in  fact,  to  make  the  human  race  feel  its  brother- 
hood and  dependence  upon  one  another  more  than  now. 
After  the  conversation  began  to  lag  a  little,  the  doctor 
requested  Mr.  Allerton  to  "turn  that  'air  thing  loose 
again,"  as  he  wanted  to  hear  something  more. 

The  lever  was  moved  again  to  the  notch  marked 
''Now,"  and  the  tilting  lever  moved  again,  and  the  ma- 
chine began  on  a  current  wholly  unexpected  to  the  listen- 
ers. At  first  they  simply  listened  to  what  it  said,  then 
they  began  to  get  interested;  the  doctor's  teeth  set  firmly 
together,  he  hardly  drew  his  breath,  but  sat  and  listened. 
The  preacher  sat  and  held  to  the  bench,  his  hair  slowly 
rising  on  end.  The  color  left  the  faces  of  all  the  men. 
They  sat  there  like  men  of  stone,  riveted  to  their  seats  by 
the  words  they  were  listening  to.  It  went  on  and  on. 
They  looked  at  one  another  with  blanched  faces,  seem- 
ingly terror-stricken.  Then  Allerton  arose  and  stepped 
over  to  the  phonograph  to  see  if  this  wonderful  occurrence 
vi^as  being  recorded.  Yes,  it  was.  The  phonograph  w^as 
slowly  revolving  and  the  steel  point  was  making  the  record 
thereof  in  the  cylinder's  covering.  For  more  than  an 
hour  they  sat  and  listened  before  it  was  over,  and  the  ma- 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  57 

chine  took  up  other  sounds.  Then  it  was  shut  off. 
Allerton  now  turned  to  his  companions,  saying: 

"  We  have  no  time  to  waste.  This  calls  for  action. 
We  must  be  up  and  away  and  stop  that  terrible  affair." 

They  carefully  laid  their  plans,  each  man  taking  a 
part  to  do.  The  preacher  said  he  could  call  in  another 
preacher  to  fill  his  pulpit,  and  the  doctor  had  a  friend 
whom  he  could  turn  his  patients  over  to,  and  they  would 
be  away  on  their  great  mission.  The  balloon  was  wound 
down  and  put  away,  and  every  tiling  was  straightened 
around  for  a  few  weeks'  absence  of  its  owner,  and  the  three 
men  hastily  left  the  cave,  and  going  out  and  around  the 
mountain  top  found  the  team,  and  were  soon  speeding 
away  toward  Silverton. 


58  IT    MIGHT    BE. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

"  The  best  laid  schemes  of  mice  and  men 
Gang  aft  aglee  " — Burns. 

The  hotels  in  the  city  of  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  had  been 
overflowing  for  the  past  four  or  five  days,  and  it  seemed 
as  if  the  city  could  not  supply  the  demand  for  lodging 
made  upon  them  by  the  vast  number  of  strangers  who 
were  continually  pouring  in,  and  that,  too,  without  any 
apparent  cause. 

Editors  discussed  the  reason  ;  bankers  wondered 
what  it  meant ;  real  e8,tate  dealers  looked  for  a  boom  in 
the  value  of  their  property,  thinking  that  the  people  had 
become  suddenly  aware  of  tlie  advantages  of  their  city ; 
the  managers  of  the  seventy  furnaces  and  iron  mills  won- 
dered what  called  so  many  visitors  around  their  mills ; 
but  the  churches  did  not  notice  any  increase  in  their 
attendance.  The  chief  of  police,  fearing  trouble  of  some 
kind,  doubles  the  police  force  and  writes  the  governor 
that  an  unusual  number  of  toughs  are  in  the  city  and  that 
he  fears  an  outbreak  of  some  kind. 

It  is  Saturday  night,  and  the  town  clocks  have  just 
struck  eleven.  The  number  of  pedestrians  on  the  streets 
seems  to  suddenly  diminish.  Have  they  gone  to  their 
couches?  Ah,  no.  See  those  dark  objects  moving  swiftly 
up  each  dark  alley  ?  They  all  have  one  destination  in 
view.  So  many  dark  objects  pass  this  street  and  then 
that  one,  that  the  police  begin  to  wonder  what  is  going  to 
happen. 

Look.  Do  you  see  that  smoke  yonder,  up  the  Alle- 
gheny? not  one  but  two,  three,  yes,  half  a  dozen  steam- 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  59 

boats  send  up  their  smoky  signals.  Look  now  down  the 
Monongahela;  a  scene  like  that  from  the  north.  They 
come  nearer  and  nearer  to  their  several  landings.  A 
stream  of  men  file  out  of  the  boats  and  congregate  on  the 
banks  there.  What  have  they  from  which  the  moon  sends 
cold,  shivering  rays?  They  are  guns.  They  move  from 
the  north  and  from  the  south  toward  one  point  yonder, 
where  a  tall  dark  building  stands,  forth  from  which  flick- 
ers the  light  of  a  blast  furnace.  Each  company  nears  a 
common  point;  they  halt,  and  then  seem  to  slowly  fade 
away  in  the  darkness,  and  not  a  form  is  seen.  All  is 
calm  and  quiet.  What  does  it  mean?  There,  did  you 
see  that  object  as  it  moved  out  into  view?  It  came  from 
the  direction  of  the  city,  and  stands  there  in  the  dim 
moonlight.  Look;  another  comes,  now  another,  now  by 
twos  and  threes;  then  they  come  by  scores.  They  are 
forming  on  that  level  plain.  Now  they  move  slowly  for- 
ward. They  have  something  under  their  arms,  which  the 
moon's  rays  show  up  as  guns;  some  have  axes,  some 
mauls,  some  clubs  and  others  different  weapons.  They 
march  on  in  the  direction  of  the  place  where  the  first  seen 
company  so  lately  disappeared. 

"  Halt,  who  goes  there?" 

See,  before  that  company  of  black  objects,  which  a 
short  time  ago  emerged  from  the  city,  arises  a  lonely  man 
who  sends  out  on  the  startled  air  these  sounds.  He  has 
a  shining  Winchester  in  his  hands. 

Do  you  see  that  fleeting  black  object  off  there  to  the 
right?  On  and  on  he  goes,  not  haltmg  until  after  he  has 
passed  through  alley  after  alley  and  at  last  stands  within 
a  telegraph  office.  Listen,  the  click,  click  of  the  instru- 
ment as  it  starts  with  its  message,  on  and  on  with  the 


60  IT    MIGHT   BE. 

speed  of  the  lightning,  until  its  message  is  laid  down  on 
the  table  before  the  waiting  chief  executive  of  the  land. 
A  few  marks  are  made  on  the  paper  by  that  official,  a 
name  is  signed,  and  away  goes  that  subtile  sometliing  on 
its  message  of  duty.  In  a  dozen  or  more  cities  its  flashes 
are  recorded.  Men,  who  have  stars  on  their  coats,  arise 
from  their  seats  and  go  out  into  the  night,  wondering  why 
that  duty  is  to  be  performed,  and  why  the  order  was  sent 
by  the  president.  A  score  or  more  of  prominent  men 
answer  the  knock  at  their  doors,  only  to  meet  face  to  face 
with  the  men,  with  the  stars,  and  with  faces  paled  with 
fear  they  accompany  him  to  the  strong  house  and  hear 
the  creak  of  its  iron  door  as  it  moves  on  its  hinges,  secur- 
ing them  for  the  balance  of  the  night,  but  not  to  sleep, 
only  to  wonder  on  through  the  night  what  was  being  done 
by  the  company  of  men  at  Pittsburgh,  and  what  their 
being  arrested  had  to  do  with  the  plot,  or  if  some  one  had 
given  their  secret  away. 

Before  the  echoes  of  the  lone  man's  voice  had  died 
away  on  the  air  surrounding  Pittsburgh,  a  rough  bass 
voice  replied,  sternly,  if  not  fiendishly: 

"  Surrender,  sir.  Throw  up  your  hands  or  I'll  shoot," 
and  a  keen  eye  looked  along  a  smooth  rifle  barrel  toward 
the  lone  man,  who  did  not  flinch,  but  quickly  raised  his 
gun  to  his  shoulder  and  replied : 

"Surrender?  Never.  Drop  that  gun.  I  say,  drop 
that  gun.  I  am  the  guard  here  and  have  authority  to 
shoot  you  down  if  you  do  not  immediately  obey." 

"  Sir,"  replied  the  leader  of  the  band,  ''  We  are  here 
for  business,  and  mean  just  what  we  say.  Lay  down 
your  gun,  or  I  shall  order  my  men  to  fire  upon  you,"  and 
he  advanced  upon  the  lone  man. 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  61 

"  Stop.  Do  not  take  another  step  in  advance,  or  you 
die,"  came  back  tlie  reply  in  a  tone  that  carried  its  true 
meaning  with  it,  and  seemed  to  set  fire  to  the  already 
strained  passions  of  the  band,  who  could  stand  the  force 
thereof  but  little  longer  without  doing  something  terrible. 

The  town  clock  in  the  distance  struck  twelve.  It  was 
Sunday. 

There  was  a  momentary  pause,  and  the  leader  turned 
toward  his  men;  then  a  wave  of  the  hand;  then  a  dozen 
flashes  of  light  ui)on  the  darkness  of  the  night ;  a  form 
falls  to  the  ground ;  when.  Oh !  My  God !  What  means 
that  rising  line  of  dark  objects  ?  What  means  those 
leveled  Winchesters?  What  means  that  awful  gleam  of 
the  eye  from  those  holding  the  guns?  What  means  that 
long  line  of  shining  guns,  pointing  toward  the  band,  in 
front,  behind,  at  the  sides?  Will  the  triggers  be  pressed? 
Will  the  scene  run  with  blood?  Will  souls  go  out  to  meet 
their  God  from  a  mighty  conflict  here? 

With  blanched  faces  and  trembling  limbs,  the  mem- 
bers of  the  band  look  upon  the  sudden  transformation  of 
the  scene,  from  one  man,  one  shining  barrel,  to  thou- 
sands. 

The  falling  man  arises,  and  drawing  himself  up  to  his 
full  height,  for  he  is  but  slightly  injured,  he  speaks: 

"  I  say,  surrender,  and  for  the  last  time  before  we  fire. 
We  know  what  you  are  up  to.  We  know  your  intentions. 
Lay  down  your  guns,  or  I  shall  give  the  signal  to  start 
this  blood  spilling  in  dead  earnest,  for  you  failed  in  what 
you  wished  and  intended  toward  me." 

There  is  a  hushed  pause,  then  a  few  muttered  curses; 
the  leader  turns  toward  his  men  and  speaks  a  few  words. 
Each  man  of  the  band  then  slowlv  lowers  his  gun  to  the 


62  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

ground.  They  are  then  turned  about  and  "  Forward, 
march!"  is  the  command  given.  They  start  toward  the 
ships,  in  which  they  are  placed  for  safe  keeping,  awaiting 
orders  from  Washington. 

Thus,  "  Failed  "  is  written  across  this  attempt  of 
organized  anarchy  to  gain  control  of  capital's  property. 
Whether  the  aggravations  of  the  times  would  justify  such 
an  attempt,  we  leave  for  wiser  heads  than  ours  to  solve. 

The  day  of  trial  for  those  arrested  at  Pittsburgh  comes 
off  at  once;  they  receive  their  several  sentences,  and  are 
distributed  in  the  several  prisons  to  work  out  their  times. 
But  the  score  of  men  arrested  in  distant  cities  as  being 
the  leaders  and  instigators  of  the  attempted  rebellion  (in 
wiiich  it  was  expected  to  gain  control  of  the  mills  at 
Pittsburgh  first;  the  trains  would  then  be  stopped,  hence 
no  soldiers  could  be  rushed  there  for  some  time,  and 
when  they  once  were  there,  many  other  cities  would  thus 
be  taken  charge  of  and  held;  thus  forcing,  as  they 
expected,  capital  to  come  to  their  demands,  which  were 
not  modest  in  the  least),  are  next  to  be  tried. 

Their  pleas  are,  "■  Not  guilty." 

The  men  who  were  to  endure  the  danger  were  easily 
convicted,  but  these  men  think  that  no  evidence  can  be 
found  against  them  and,  with  a  great  show  of  bravery  and 
innocence,  they  stand  for  trial.  The  jury  is  chosen  and 
all  is  ready  for  the  prosecution,  yet  but  three  men  are 
present  as  witnesses,  our  two  Silverton  friends  and  their 
strangely  found  companion. 

These  events  have  been  the  means  of  raising  the 
interest  and  excitement  of  the  people  of  the  Union,  as 
well  as  of  all  the  civilized  world,  to  its  highest  pitch,  and 
the   eyes  and  ears  of  the   people  are   strained  to  their 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  63 

utmost  to  catch  all  that  was  possible  of  this  trial.  The 
daily  papers  have  their  reporters  and  telegraph  operators 
in  the  court  room  by  scores,  and  it  seemed  as  if  all  the 
comitry  was  on  tip-toe  of  expectation  to  hear  the  news 
from  this  great  trial. 

The  last  juror  has  been  chosen  and  the  lawyers  on 
both  sides  now  announce  their  readiness  to  proceed  with 
the  trial.  One  of  the  attendants  brings  in  a  stand,  upon 
which  is  placed  a  phonograph,  as  the  first  witness. 

Strange  witness,  surely. 

The  lawyer  for  the  prosecution  has  explained  that 
they  expect  to  prove  that  the  men,  in  secret  council 
met,  concocted  the  rebellion  attempted,  and  are  in  reality 
the  principals  in  the  scheme,  and  the  first  evidence 
offered  will  be  a  verbatim  rejjort  of  that  secret  council. 

Mr.  Allerton  comes  forward,  is  sworn,  and  then  takes 
his  seat  at  the  side  of  the  instrument. 

A  lever  is  moved  and  the  cylinder  of  the  phonograph 
begins  to  revolve,  and  from  the  mouthpiece  comes  these 
words : 

"The  secretary  will  now  call  the  roll.  Be  quiet, 
gentlemen,  and  those  who  do  not  wish  to  participate  in 
these  proceedings  and  take  their  stand  with  us  will  please 
retire  at  once.  No  one  leaves.  Gentlemen,  as  your 
names  are  called,  you  will  proceed  to  the  secretary's 
desk,  and  take  the  oath  and  sign  your  names.  Pro- 
ceed, Mr.  Secretary.  George  McLaughlin,  come  forth 
and  sign  the  oath  and  take  the  vow." 

A  momentary  silence  follows. 

"  Mr.  McLaughlin  signs  and  takes  the  oath.  So 
record  it,  Mr.  Secretary." 


64  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

At  the  recital  of  these  things  there  was  consternation 
among  the  prisoners  at  the  bar,  many  a  face,  from 
which  the  blood  had  fled,  telling  of  the  fear  back  of  it. 

The  long  roll  proceeds;  each  name  called,  to  be 
answered  by  the  chairman :  * '  He  takes  the  oath  and 
vow.     So  record  it,  Mr.  Secretary." 

The  roll  call  is  over  only  when  each  man's  name,  who 
sits  in  the  prisoner's  box,  is  called  and  receives  the 
chairman's  reply. 

"  Now,  gentlemen,  we  are  ready  for  business,"  rattles 
on  the  machine. 

"The  plan  of  this  movement  has  been  written  out 
and  will  now  be  read  by  the  secretary." 

"  PV/iereas,  We  hold  the  balance  of  power  at  the  ballot, 
if  united  and  given  a  free  trial  thereof,  or  at  the  bayonet 
if  forced  thereto,  and, 

' '  Whereas,  We  have  proven  that  at  the  ballot  we  can 
never  be  successful,  so  much  of  our  element  being  ruled 
by  wealth  through  the  influence  brought  to  bear  by  the 
necessities  we  have  to  meet;  therefore,  be  it 

^^  Resolved ^  That  we  unite  in  the  use  of  the  bayonet 
and  strike  the  blow  at  once  that  shall  now  and  forever 
free  us  from  the  chains  capitalists  have  bound  about  us; 
and,  be  it  further 

' '  Resolved,  That  the  following  be  the  plan  of  action 
in  striking  that  blow :  At  twelve  o'clock  on  the  first  night 
in  November  next,  all  the  blast  furnaces,  iron  and  steel 
mills,  glass  factories,  locomotive  and  engine,  safe,  brass, 
copper,  bronze,  tin  and  all  other  works  of  like  nature  in 
Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  be  seized  and  held  by  force.  We  have 
the  power  to  do  so.  We  will  send  a  small  army  down 
there  very  quietly,  to  get  control;  then  our  organizations 
throughout  the  country  wall  prevent  the  movement  of 
troo]js  in  there  to  recapture  it.  No  railroad  train  nor 
canal  boat  shall    be  moved   after  word  is  sent  out  by 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  65 

the  different  officers  in  charge  of  this  movement.  Eacli 
one  who  is  recorded  here  to-night  will  be  placed  at  the 
following  points  to  arrange  for  and  oversee  the  movement 
and  to  prevent  the  recapture  of  the  cities." 

Then  followed  the  list  of  the  names  of  the  prisoners 
at  the  bar,  with  the  names  of  the  cities  where  each  had 
been  arrested. 

The  machine  still  rattled  on,  giving  the  full  details  of 
the  plan  and  many  short  speeches  which  had  been  deliv- 
ered by  those  present,  all  followed  by  the  calling  of  the 
roll  for  voting  on  the  plan  and  resolutions,  and  each  one 
was  recorded  as  voting  "  Aye." 

Wonderful  evidence.  But  can  it  be  proven  that  it 
has  come  from  a  reliable  source  ?  Is  it  true  ?  Was  it 
taken  by  some  one  near  at  hand,  unknown  to  the 
assembly  ? 

A  whole  nation  awaits  in  suspense  the  proving  of  the 
testimony. 

Mr.  Allerton  is  now  asked  to  explain  the  source  of 
this  evidence  and  the  proofs  of  its  reliability.  He  arises 
and  addresses  the  judge  and  jury  : 

"Your  Honor  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Jury:  I  have 
made  a  machine  by  which  I  am  enabled  to  catch  the 
sounds  floating  around  in  space,  no  matter  where  or 
when  uttered.  Some  time  ago  I  was  experimenting  with 
it,  when  the  sounds  recorded  in  that  phonograph  and 
just  spoken  were  brought  down  and  uttered  to  me." 

*' What  is  that  you  say?  "  asked  the  judge.  "  Do 
you  mean  to  tell  us  that  you  could  hear  sounds  made  in 
a  closed  room,  in  a  distant  city,  by  the  aid  of  a  machine 
you  have  made  ?  " 

"  That  is  just  what  I  mean,"  was  the  reply. 


66  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

*'  Such  visionary  evidence  as  this  will  need  some  very 
clear  proof  before  admitted.  Explain  your  machine 
to  us." 

"■  Well,  to  make  a  long  story  short,  I  will  tell  you  why 
I  made  it  and  how  it  works ;  then  for  the  proof  will  take 
you  to  it  and  let  it  prove  its  own  testimony.  We  are 
taught  that  sound  is  the  undulations  of  the  ether  which 
fills  space.  So  is  light.  Now,  light  travels  on  and  on, 
never  ceasing.  Why  not  sound  ?  Electricity  is  probably 
undulation  also,  and  it  travels  in  circuits ;  so  do  the  suns 
and  moons  of  the  universe.  Light  also  may  travel  in 
immense  orbits.  If  the  suns  and  planets,  light,  elec- 
tricity, etc.,  go  on  unceasingly,  why  not  sound?  And  if 
it  does,  where  are  those  circuits  ?  I  reasoned  that  they 
must  fly  around  high  up  on  the  surface  of  the  atmosphere. 
I  made  a  machine  to  test  this  reasoning,  and  as  the  tele- 
graph operator  catches  the  current  flying  along  the  wire 
by  the  track  from  the  roof  of  the  car,  so  I  have  caught 
these  sounds,  flying  along  their  orbit,  high  up  yonder," 
he  answered,  pointing  upward.  ''  In  proof  of  this  I  am 
ready  to  put  on  the  stand  these  two  men,"  pointing  to 
our  Silverton  friends,  "  who  have  seen  and  heard  it,  and 
also  to  accompany  you  to  the  machine  itself,  and  let  you 
both  see  and  hear  it." 

There  was  a  breathless  silence  in  the  room  as  the 
doctor  and  preacher  came  to  the  stand,  were  sworn  and 
severally  verified  the  statements  of  Mr.  Allerton. 

The  judge  then  announced  the  court  adjourned,  that 
the  jury  as  well  as  himself  might  accompany  Mr.  Aller- 
ton to  the  machine. 

The  telegraph  flashes  the  news  of  this  wonderful 
discovery  to  the  length  and  breadth  of  the   land,  and 


IT    MIGHT   BE.  •  67 

across  the  water  to  the  Eastern  world.  The  papers  con- 
tain httle  else  than  the  news  of  this  trial,  the  testimony 
and  its  source.  Many  laugh  at  the  idea  and  doubt  the 
sanity  of  the  man  who  offered  it.  A  special  train  is 
chartered  to  take  the  judge,  jury,  reporters  and  others  to 
Silverton. 

They  reach  the  once  quiet  little  city,  now  filled  with 
people  from  every  direction.  Teams  are  soon  secured, 
and  in  a  short  time  one  of  the  longest  processions  ever 
seen  in  that  part  of  the  country  is  on  the  way  to  the 
mountain. 

The  cave  is  reached,  the  judge,  jury  and  a  few 
reporters  allowed  to  enter,  and  impatiently  the  throng 
outside  awaits  the  filling  and  the  ascension  of  the  balloon. 
Slowly  the  great  thing  swells  up  and,  when  loosed  from 
its  moorings,  rises  upward  as  fast  as  the  wires  and  ropes 
will  play  out.  It  reaches  the  desired  altitude  and  the 
operator  re-enters  the  cave,  where  anxiously  awaits  the 
crowd.  The  lever  is  soon  moved  and  the  first  message 
that  comes  out  from  this  most  wonderful  of  all  inventions 
is  the  roar,  din  and  confusion,  the  shouts  and  the  cries, 
mingled  with  the  crash  of  falling  buildings  at  the  awful 
flood  of  Conemaugh.  The  affrighted  listeners  leap  to 
their  feet,  thinking  that  the  mountain,  which  surrounds 
them,  is  coming  down  to  crush  the  whole  company. 
There  is  a  rush  for  the  door,  but  Mr.  Allerton  sees  the 
consternation  and  quickly  stops  the  terrible  story.  With 
some  persuasion  and  explanations  they  are  again  led  to 
enter  the  room,  while  the  operator  now  moves  the  lever 
in  the  direction  of  a  notch  marked  "  Washington,  1830," 
when  this  greets  them  : 

"  Mr,  President,  when  the  mariner  has  been  tossed 


68  .  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

for  many  days,  in  thick  weather  and  on  an  unknown  sea, 
he  naturally  avails  himself  of  the  first  pause  in  the  storm, 
the  earliest  glance  of  the  sun,  to  take  his  latitude  and 
ascertain  how  far  the  elements  have  driven  him  from  his 
true  course.  Let  us  imitate  his  prudence,  and  before  we 
float  further  on  the  waves  of  this  debate,  refer  to  the 
point  from  which  we  departed,  that  we  may  at  least  be 
able  to  form  some  conjecture  of  where  we  now  are.  I  ask 
for  the  reading  of  the  resolution." 

Had  tlie  listeners  not  quoted  parts  of  this  speech  in 
their  debates  and  speeches  at  school,  long  before  this  ? 
And  did  they  not  at  once  recognize  the  words  of  Webster's 
great  speech  ?  But,  ah  !  never  before  did  they  hear  the 
matchless  eloquence  of  that  voice  as  they  now  heard  it, 
and  they  began  to  realize  how  it  was  that  Webster  could 
move  that  vast  throng  before  him. 

The  lever  was  moved  again,  and  the  testimony  they 
had  listened  to  in  the  court  room  was  again  offered  up  in 
evidence. 

A  full  explanation  of  tlie  machine  and  its  workings 
was  made,  every  word  of  which  the  rejDorters  gathered, 
which  fully  satisfied  the  judge  and  jury. 

It  did  not  take  long  after  their  return  for  the  jury  to 
hand  in  their  verdict,  no  defense  being  made  by  the 
prisoners. 

Millions  of  people  read  the  reports  sent  out  from  Sil- 
verton  that  day,  and  anxiously  did  all  civilized  nations 
await  a  full  explanation  of  this  strange  invention.  Noth- 
ing else  seemed  thought  of.  No  man's  name  is  used  as 
often  as  that  of  Trafford  Allerton,  the  commercial  traveler 
and  inventor.  He  is  bewildered  with  the  attention  shown 
him^  the  telegrams  and  letters  sent  him,  the  myriad  of 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  69 

reporters  who  hang  around  him,  and  the  millions  of 
money  offered  for  the  sole  right  and  use  of  the  inven- 
tion, by  wire  and  cable,  from  kings,  queens  and  poten- 
tates. 

He  sits  down  in  his  room  in  the  modest  little  hotel  in 
Silverton,  dazed  and  bewildered.  His  mind  seems  to 
totter  for  a  moment;  lie  reels  and  would  have  fallen  to 
the  floor,  but  the  door  opens  and  in  comes  that  sweet- 
faced,  blessed  woman,  his  mother,  with  the  tears  dampen- 
ing the  wrinkles  in  her  cheeks  and  adding  moisture  to 
those  lips.  She  clasps  him  to  her  breast,  and  then  sitting 
him  in  the  chair,  plants  kiss  after  kiss  upon  his  brow. 
God  bless  the  mothers  of  our  boyhood  and  manhood; 
always  present  when  needed,  with  tender  touch,  sweet 
words  and  a  glistening  tear  drop  to  quiet  us  down  and 
hold  our  feelings  in  check. 

"  God  bless  you,  my  son;  but  remember  that  you  are 
but  a  man.  Do  not  allow  this  success  to  turn  your  head 
and  destroy  your  past  good  disposition.  Be  a  man.  Be 
humble.  I  would  rather  you  had  never  made  this  great 
discovery  than  that  it  should  make  you  vain,  cold  and 
distant.  I  would  much  prefer  you  as  you  always  have 
been — kind,  loving,  quiet  Trafford — even  if  poverty  and 
affliction  should  come,  than  to  have  you  like  so  many 
otherwise  great  men,  though  wealth  and  fame  be  piled 
around  you  mountain  high." 

Trafford  looked  up.  His  gaze  met  a  look  of  sublime 
love  and  tenderness  which  sank  down  into  his  innermost 
being;  his  hand  was  raised  and  placed  against  the  warm 
cheek  of  his  mother,  and  he  replied : 

"  If  ever  a  man  had  a  jewel  of  a  mother,  I  am  that 
man.    Mother,  by  the  help  of  Heaven's  throng,  I'll  never 


70  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

be  other  than  the  Ijoy  I  was  when  I  knelt  at  your  knee. 
See,  mother,  I  kneel  there  again  as  of  yore;  please  talk 
to  our  Father  for  me."  And  with  her  head  bowed  upon 
her  son's  shoulder,  the  mother  offered  a  prayer  of  such 
simple  trust  and  faith  that  the  son  arose,  never  to  forget 
that  blessed  moment,  nor  to  depart  from  its  requests. 

For  a  time  the  excitement  caused  by  the  discovery 
seemed  to  hide  the  scenes  at  the  trial,  conviction  and 
sentence  of  the  prisoners,  but  slowly  the  nation  lost  its 
excitement  and  settled  down  to  its  normal  condition. 

While  the  world  had  reason  to  be  thankful  that 
another  war  had  been  averted,  yet  the  conditions  which 
led  up  to  those  events  remained  the  same  as  ever.  Men 
who  had  heretofore  sneered  at  the  power  of  anarchy  now 
had  their  eyes  opened  to  the  immense  power  under  its 
control.  Self-protection  is  the  first  law  of  nature,  and 
they  now  began  to  look  around  for  a  plan  of  protection. 
Money  would  not  protect  against  bomb-shell  and  cannon, 
when  in  the  hands  of  such  a  secret  band  among  our  pop- 
ulation. While  the  statesmen  and  politicians  of  the 
nation  wrestled  with  these  mighty  problems,  Allerton  was 
perfecting  his  machine. 

He  further  reasoned  that  if  sound  is  motion,  and  can 
be  grasped,  light  is  also  motion,  and  why  cannot  it  be 
grasped  and  shown  to  the  astonished  world,  although  its 
undulations  may  be  thousands  or  hundreds  of  thousands 
more  per  second,  yet  he  thought  they  could  be  secured. 
He  took  a  tour  of  the  country,  examining  all  the  electrical 
appliances,  crossed  the  Atlantic  and  continued  his  research 
there,  until  he  had  studied  all  he  could  find,  then  returned 
and  made  a  machine,  upon  nearly  the  same  principle  as 
his  sound  machine,  only  much  more  sensitive.     A  very 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  7l 

sensitive  magnetic  plate  was  placed  to  one  side  and  a  little 
above  the  sound  plate  on  the  balloon,  and  instead  of  one 
electric  pole  being  placed  under  tlie  center  of  the  plate, 
one  was  placed  above  it  as  well  as  under,  each  having 
connections  to  the  same  wire,  which  was  thus  enabled  to 
catch  the  vibrations  in  each  direction  and  with  incon- 
ceivable rapidity.  So  great  was  the  rapidity  of  the  vibra- 
tions, that  the  best  instrument  he  had,  which  would 
measure  up  as  high  as  a  million  a  second,  would  not 
solve  the  problem  of  the  number  of  vibrations  per  second, 
to  light.  This  was  then  connected  with  an  instrument  in 
the  cave,  composed  of  a  glass  globe,  with  a  magnetic  par- 
tition, so  arranged  that  the  air  might  be  exhausted  and 
give  the  same  conditions  as  surrounded  the  other  end  up 
in  the  balloon.  The  electric  charged  poles  above  and 
below  this  plate  were  connected  with  a  large  magnetic 
plate  suspended  from  the  side  of  the  room,  upon  which 
the  electric  changes  were  to  be  produced,  in  the  copy  of 
the  long  ago  scene.  The  telegraph  instruments  were 
upon  tables  around  the  room,  which  were  connected  with 
the  offices  of  the  great  newspapers  throughout  the  land. 
The  day  appointed  for  the  trial  came,  and  the  cave  was 
filled  with  scientists  and  reporters,  to  its  fullest  capacity. 
The  nation  was  again  on  tip-toe  of  expectation,  anxiously 
awaiting  the  result. 

When  all  \yas  ready,  Mr.  Allerton  stepped  up  to  the 
table,  upon  which  Avere  arranged  the  buttons,  which  dated 
the  time  of  the  scene  wanted,  and  pressed  in  the  button 
marked  "1892." 

The  electric  motor  began  its  vibrations,  the  pumps 
began  to  groan,  the  registering  lever  on  the  wall  rapidly 
neared  the  slot  marked  "  1892."     All  eves   were  turned 


72  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

toward  it;  netirer  and  nearer  it  came,  then  with  a  sharp 
click  it  fell  into  its  place.  The  plates  within  each  globe 
flashed  for  a  moment,  then  the  complete  circuit  was 
formed,  and  the  sound  machine,  which  was  also  con- 
nected, gave  out  a  low  sound,  much  like  the  sighing  of 
the  wind  through  the  tree  tops ;  but  look  at  that  reflector 
on  the  wall.  There  plainly  is  shown  the  bosom  of  a  calm 
flowing  river,  down  whose  current  can  plainly  be  seen  a 
boat  gliding  noiselessly  toward  the  city  yonder.  Looking 
closely  you  can  see  vast  thi*ongs  of  people  upon  the  river's 
bank,  near  the  city.  All  is  so  still  within  the  room,  and 
so  perfect  is  the  work  of  the  invention,  that  you  can 
plainly  hear  the  screech  of  the  owl  in  the  distance  and 
plainly  see  the  ripples  on  the  river.  The  boat  stops  in 
mid-river  and  then  slowly  turns  toward  the  bank  and  the 
people  congregated  there.  Slowly  the  boat  nears  the 
bank,  and  the  metallic  sheet  on  the  wall  seems  to  tremble 
with  excitement ;  nearer  and  nearer ;  a  form  arises  from 
the  mass  of  forms  on  the  boat,  and,  as  it  reaches  the 
bank,  attempts  to  land.  A  crowd  moves  down  from  the 
bank,  near  to  the  water's  edge,  then  pauses.  A  few  mut- 
tered curses  issue  from  the  sounder.  There  is  a  brilliant 
flash  upon  the  screen,  a  sharp  report  from  the  sounder, 
then  a  groan,  and  you  see  the  form  on  the  reflector  fall. 
The  excitement  is  so  great  and  the  attention  of  those 
present  so  riveted  to  the  picture  on  the  wall,  that  the  tel- 
egraph instruments  are  silent  for  some  time,  then  there 

goes  out  to  the  world  these  dots  and  dash  : —  ... 

(success). 

A  half  hour  of  spell-bound  watchfulness  follows,  and 
the  operator  touches  tlie  lever,  breaks  the  circuit,  and  the 
reflector  is  blrnk  and  the    sounder  silent,  and  the  scenes 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  73 

and  sounds  from  Homestead's  disgraceful  scene  are  gone. 
And  now  the  electric  fluid  leaps  across  the  continent  and 
dips  beneath  the  ocean  in  its  haste  to  tell  of  the  opened 
secrets  once  locked  up  in  Nature's  secure  recesses.  It  tells 
the  story  to  the  astonishment  of  the  Old  World,  then  on 
it  goes  to  tell  and  re-tell  it,  until  it  has  spanned  the  globe 
in  its  jubilant  activity. 

How  the  happy  newsboy  yelled,  "  Allerton's  machine 
a  howling  success.  Here's  the  latest,  only  a  penny." 
How  eagerly  millions  of  eyes  read  the  news,  and  many 
enthusiastic  ones  shouted,  leaped  and  wept  for  joy.  They 
talked  of  what  it  would  do,  they  sung  of  it,  they  dreamed 
of  it,  they  wrote  about  it. 

'Twas  done.  The  great  secret  that  Nature  had  been 
groaning  to  be  delivered  of  was  opened  to  the  astonished 
world  of  humanity.  No  more  guess  work  about  the  past, 
but  certainty  brought  down  to  our  households,  just  as  it 
happened,  though  forgotten  and  lost  to  view  down  the 
misty  aisles  of  the  past.  No  more  going  to  Switzerland 
to  view  the  Alps,  only  to  climb,  dizzy-headed,  to  their 
summits,  but  now  will  we  bring  their  grandeur  and 
beauty  down  to  our  parlors ;  no  more  trips  to  Niagara  to 
see  its  sights  and  hear  its  roar,  we  can  have  a  Niagara  at 
home]  no  more  perilous  attempts  to  reach  the  North 
Pole,  but  we  will  turn  our  machine  on  her  and  bring  her 
scenes  to  our  door,  robbed  of  her  frigidity,  for  we  will  see 
her  snowdrifts  and  icebergs  while  seated  at  our  parlor 
fires;  no  more  guess  work  about  Moses,  David,  Solomon, 
John  the  Baptist,  Herod,  Pharaoh,  Paul,  and  how  a 
thousand  other  men  looked,  we'll  bring  out  from  the 
heavens  above  us  their  photographs,  and  hear  them  talk 
and  see   their  expressions  at  the  same  time ;    no   more 


74  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

having  the  Christ  of  all  ages  and  lands,  painted  Italian 
by  Italy's  artist,  nor  German  by  Germany's,  nor  Hotten- 
tot by  their  man,  nor  American  by  ours ;  but  we  will  see 
Him  face  to  face ;  hear  His  words  of  wonderful  tenderness ; 
see  that  countenance,  brighter  than  the  noonday  sun, 
and  fall  at  His  feet  and  worship  Him. 

The  door  of  Nature  is  now  unlocked,  which  shall  cause 
a  transformation  in  the  methods  of  government,  a  change 
in  the  business  affairs  of  life.  It  shall  prove  the  brother- 
hood of  man  and  drive  out  the  poverty  of  the  land ;  will 
put  a  quietus  on  crime ;  will  stop  the  blow  before  struck, 
and  will  cause  the  half-uttered  curse  to  die  upon  the  lips. 
Each  human  being's  actions  and  words  are  placed  at  the 
disposal  of  his  neighbor,  and  it  is  a  wonderful  incentive 
for  him  to  behave  well  aud  use  only  such  language  as  he 
wishes  to  come  up  before  the  many  homes  of  our  land. 
But  how  shall  this  change  be  brought  down  to  a  working 
basis?  How  shall  the  great  transformation  be  ushered 
in?  Not  by  might,  God  forbid.  But  if  a  neighbor's  crime 
come  up  before  the  face  of  the  community,  immediate 
justice  will  be  meted  out  to  him.  The  wickedness  of  the 
king,  if  opened  to  the  gaze  of  his  subjects,  would  cost  him 
his  neck.  The  trickery  of  the  politician  would  cost  him 
his  office  and  place  in  the  party.  If  some  of  the  past  life 
of  the  wife  or  husband  becomes  the  property  of  the  other 
in  this  way,  the  divorce  court  would  be  rushed  to  its  full- 
est capacity.  How,  then,  can  this  great  change  be  brought 
about  peaceably?  Past  advancements  only  open  the  way 
to  new  problems.  A  new  danger  now  threatens  the  gov- 
ernment. Are  all  the  dishonesties  of  the  government 
officials  to  be  spread  before  the  public  gaze,  together  with 
their  methods  of  getting  there?     Is  every  dollar  expended 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  75 

for  liquor  and  votes  to  be  accounted  for?  Are  the  meth- 
ods of  judges  and  juries  to  be  ventilated?  Are  all  the 
crimes  of  the  criminal  to  come  up  before  the  face  of  the 
one  injured?  Is  the  lie  uttered  to  be  shown  false?  Can 
all  this  be  done  and  am'-  power  be  found  to  prevent  imme- 
diate anarchy  and  single-handed  warfare  until  the  race  is 
exterminated?  No.  This  invention  must  be  used  with 
care,  and  only  at  certain  occasions  and  for  certain  pur- 
poses, or  the  latter  end  will  be  w^orse  than  the  former,  and 
pandemonium  ensue.  Something  must  be  done  to  pre- 
vent its  indiscriminate  use,  and  the  distribution  of  the 
information  thus  secured.  God's  greatest  blessings  may 
be  turned  into  the  greatest  curses,  if  man  fails  to  follow 
the  plan  of  operation.  The  electric  fluid,  instead  of  pro- 
pelling our  trains  and  lighting  our  streets  and  a  thousand 
other  useful  works,  may  burn  our  buildings  and  take  our 
life.  The  power  generated  by  a  great  dam  of  water  may 
come  down  and  destroy  the  city.  The  dynamite  cart- 
ridge, which  ought  to  be  used  in  blasting  and  like  useful 
deeds,  may  destroy  our  finest  dwellings  and  take  the  lives 
of  our  best  people.  Man's  God-given  freedom  may  be 
turned  to  the  commission  of  the  greatest  crimes.  All 
Nature's  elements  may  be  so  turned.  Then,  how  to  pre- 
vent the  use  of  this  discovery,  from  wliich  so  many  grand 
things  are  expected,  from  being  turned  into  a  curse,  was 
the  problem  that  stared  the  nation  in  the  face. 


76  IT   MIGHT   BE. 


CHAPTER  V. 

"  Yet  I  doubt  not  through  the  ages  one  increasing 
purpose  runs, 
And  the  thoughts  of  men  are  widened  with  the 
process  of  the  suns."  — Ten ht/soii. 

The  day  has  been  bright  and  clear  and  not  cold  for 
a  January  day.  The  sun  has  sunk  to  rest  behind  the 
mountains  which  lay  beyond  the  city  of  Everett.  The 
wind,  which  has  been  blowing  very  gently  all  day,  has 
now  increased  to  a  strong  north  wind,  blowing  before  it 
dark,  lowering  clouds.  The  cold  was  fast  becoming 
severe,  and  by  ten  o'clock  the  snow  was  being  driven  in 
blinding  sheets  before  the  wind  and  the  mercury  registered 
many  degrees  below  freezing. 

"  Father,"  said  Neva  Tyrole,  who  was  seated  in  an 
easy  chair  in  the  banker's  pleasant  parlor  in  one  of  the 
finest  houses  in  the  city,  "is  Mr.  Peterson,  that  man  who 
was  hurt  last  spring,  any  better  ?  " 

"  No,  Neva,  I  believe  not,  and  I  heard  to-day  that  his 
wife  was  sick  with  the  typhoid  fever.  I  fear  this  will  be 
a  hard  night  on  them,  as  no  one  will  probably  venture  out 
to  care  for  them,  the  night  is  so  bad,"  was  the  banker's 
reply. 

"  Well,  father,  they  must  be  seen  to.  I  have  now 
been  away  two  weeks  and  do  not  know  how  they  have  got 
along.  Please  tell  John  to  hitch  up,  I  must  go  and  see 
how  they  are  cared  for  this  dreadful  night." 

"  Oh,  no;  you  could  not  go  up  there  this  time  of  the 
night.     Wait  until  morning,"  he  replied. 


IT   MIGHT    BE.  77 

''  No,  I  cannot  wait.  I  could  not  sleep  well  to-night 
without  knowing  that  they  are  all  right.  I  must  go," 
was  the  answer. 

The  banker  knew  what  it  meant  to  try  and  change  her 
mind  when  she  was  bent  on  acts  of  mercy,  so  arose  to  go 
and  call  John,  when  the  mother  began  and  tried  to  get 
the  daughter's  consent  to  let  the  father  go,  but  she  knew 
the  father  would  not  take  the  interest  she  would  in  them, 
and  would  consent  to  nothing  but  a  visit  herself. 

"  How  could  father  care  for  a  poor  sick  woman?"  was 
her  reply. 

The  team  was  soon  ready  and  Neva,  wrapped  in  warm 
cloaks,  with  a  bundle  from  the  pantry  under  her  arm, 
stepped  out  into  the  dark  and  was  soon  driven  away  by 
trusty  John.  After  a  cold  drive  through  a  dark,  stormy 
night,  the  horses  were  halted  before  the  door  of  a  two- 
room  house,  which  was  set  back  from  the  road  part  way 
up  the  mountain  side.  The  young  lady  alighted  from 
the  carriage  and,  stepping  up  to  the  door,  grasped  the 
knob  and  walked  in;  she  had  been  there  so  often  before 
that  she  had  long  since  learned  to  go  right  in  without  the 
formality  of  knocking.  Within  the  room  was  a  scene  she 
had  not  expected  to  see.  In  one  corner  of  the  room  upon 
a  bed  lay  a  woman,  so  sick  that  she  did  not  know  any  one 
had  come  in.  Three  children  were  sound  asleep  at  the 
foot  of  the  bed,  and  upon  the  floor  at  the  side  of  the  bed 
lay  the  form  of  a  man.  No  fire  was  in  the  stove,  and  the 
candle  had  nearly  burned  out.  Neva  stepped  up  to  the 
man  and  touched  him,  when  she  saw  that  he  was  insensi- 
ble. John  was  called  in  and  they  began  to  work  with  the 
man,  having  first  started  a  fire,  but  it  was  a  long  time 
before  he  returned  to  consciousness.     The  man  was  there- 


78  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

after  soon  warmed  up  so  as  to  be  able  to  tell  his  astonished 
visitors  that  they  had  been  alone  all  day,  and  that  after 
the  children  had  crawled  into  bed  and  gone  to  sleep  they 
had  no  one  to  keep  up  the  fire,  and  he  had  attempted  to 
get  up  and  start  it.  Not  having  used  his  limbs  since  the 
team  ran  over  him  in  the  spring,  they  failed  him,  and  he 
supposed  he  fainted  away.  He  then  went  on  to  tell  her 
that  the  lady  who  had  been  intrusted  with  the  task  of 
taking  care  of  them  in  Neva's  absence  had  called  but 
once,  and  his  wife  had  been  down  ten  days  and  he  was 
afraid  she  was  going  to  die. 

After  a  good  deal  of  questioning  and  some  looking 
around  the  room,  it  was  learned  that  they  had  not  had  a 
good  meal  for  a  week.  "  We  have  had  but  little  to  make 
a  fire  of  until  to-day,"  he  said.  "The  delivery  wagon 
brought  up  some  coal  and  wood,  and  the  man  who  brought 
it  said  that  some  stranger  down  town  paid  for  it  and  said 
that  he  would  come  up  and  see  us  to-night." 

Neva  turned  to  John  and  told  him  he  might  go  home 
now,  but  be  sure  to  stop  on  the  way  and  tell  the  doctor  to 
come  up  at  once.  So,  after  he  had  helped  the  crippled 
man  into  bed,  he  was  soon  gone,  and  the  sick  man,  wearied 
by  his  pains  and  trouble,  was  soon  asleep.  Neva  busied 
herself  by  bathing  the  sick  woman's  face  and  hands, 
washing  the  sleeping  children's  dirty  faces  and  cleaning 
up  the  room.  By  and  by  the  doctor  came,  examined  the 
patients,  left  some  medicine  and  went  away,  and  all  was 
silent. 

Along  about  two  o'clock  there  was  a  sound  of  feet  at 
the  door,  voices  were  heard,  and  a  knock  at  the  door  gave 
evidence  that  some  one  Avanted  admittance.  She  arose 
and  opened  the  door,  before  which  stood   a  man,  who 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  79 

asked  if  this  was  Avhere  Mr,  Peterson  lived.  When 
answered  in  the  affirmative,  he  stated  that  he  had  come 
up  to  inquire  about  the  sick  ones.  She  bid  him  come  in, 
asking  at  the  same  time  where  the  other  man  was,  for  she 
heard  talking  before  he  had  knocked. 

"  That  was  a  man  whom  I  had  hired  to  pilot  me 
here,"  he  said. 

"  But  why  come  at  this  hour  of  the  night?"  she  asked. 

''I  will  explain,  madam.  I  was  traveling  through 
here,  when,  just  as  we  reached  this  place  this  afternoon, 
the  engine  broke  down.  While  they  were  repairing  it  I 
went  up  town  and  at  the  hotel  heard  some  one  say  that 
this  man  was  sick  and  destitute.  I  sent  him  up  some 
coal,  thinking  I  should  get  time  to  come  up  and  see  what 
else  he  had  need  of,  but  the  engineer  has  been  telling  us 
all  day  that  he  would  be  ready  to  start  in  a  few  moments, 
until  about  an  hour  ago  he  telegraphed  for  another  engine, 
as  this  one  could  not  be  mended,  and  it  would  be  four 
hours  before  that  one  reached  here,  so  I  thought  I  could 
well  improve  the  time  by  coming  up  here." 

Neva  then  explained  who  she  was  and  how  Mr.  Peter- 
son got  injured,  and  when,  also  of  their  condition,  how 
she  had  been  away  and  had  come  in  on  the  same  train  he 
did,  and  of  her  call  and  their  condition  when  she  found 
them. 

The  fire  was  now  getting  low,  and  as  she  started  to 
replenish  it,  he  noticed  that  the  coal  box  was  empty,  and 
out  he  went  and  brought  in  the  coal.  She  then  informed 
him  of  the  empty  water  bucket  and  where  the  well  was  to 
be  found.  While  he  was  out  after  the  water  she  began 
wondering  who  he  was  and  what  about  his  staymg  around 
yery  long.     But  reasoipi  came  to  the  front  and  said  to  her, 


80  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

' '  You  need  never  fear  harm  from  a  man  who  will  send 
coal  to  a  poor  stranger  in  a  strange  city  and  then  come 
up  here  this  awful  night  to  see  him."  He  soon  returned 
and  again  took  a  seat  by  the  stove. 

"  I  hope,"  he  said,  "  that  my  call  at  this  unseemly 
hour  has  not  frightened  you,  and,  if  my  company  will  not 
be  unwelcome  to  you,  I  would  be  pleased  to  help  you 
care  for  these  poor  people  until  morning,  but  should  you 
prefer  it,  I  will  return  at  once." 

'■ '  You  have  already  been  so  kind  to  them  that  I.  could 
not  think  of  asking  you  to  return  to  the  city  this  bad 
night,  but  will  be  glad  of  your  company,"  she  replied. 

They  were  soon  conversing  freely  with  one  another, 
though  in  a  low  tone,  so  as  not  to  disturb  the  sick,  who 
were  sleeping  quietly.  The  subject  she  soon  turned  to 
that  wonderful  invention  of  Mr.  Allerton's.  He  had  heard 
of  it,  of  course,  and  its  construction,  uses  and  future  were 
fully  discussed. 

"I  have  often  thought,"  said  she,  "that  if  such 
scenes  as  these  seen  here  to-night  could  be  fully  known 
by  the  people,  how  much  less  pain  and  want  there  would 
be,  for  millions  of  people  would  help  this  poor  family  if 
they  knew  of  the  circumstances.  I  wish  a  way  could  be 
found  to  force  people  to  look  at  just  such  distress  as  we 
see  around  us  on  every  hand  and  that  every  day."  She 
pictured  the  affairs  of  the  land  in  a  day  when  we  all  could 
and  did  know  of  the  distress  about  us  and  were  endeavor- 
ing to  better  it.  She  was  so  enthused  with  her  subject 
that  her  eyes  sparkled  and  she  became  really  eloquent  in 
her  picture  of  the  affairs  then.  They  discussed  of  what 
"  IT  MIGHT  BE  "  and  ought  to  be,  until  the  morning  light 
began  to  send  its  cold  gleams  into  the  room.     The  stranger 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  81 

then  arose  and  remarked  that  if  he  proceeded  on  Jiis 
journey  he  must  start  at  once  in  order  to  reach  the  depot 
in  time  to  catch  the  train,  and  further,  he  said  that  he  was 
on  his  way  to  Washington,  called  there  by  the  president, 
for  consultation  about  the  very  same  machine  they  had 
been  talking  about,  but  that  before  he  left  he  wished  to 
know  her  name,  that  he  might  have  the  privilege  of  know- 
ing who  he  had  been  so  pleasantly  entertained  by. 

"My  name  is  Neva  Tyrole,"  she  answered,  "and 
may  I  have  the  pleasure  of  knowing  your  name?  " 

"  I  must  first  ask  your  pardon  for  not  explaining  my 
identity  before  this.  My  name  is  Trafford  Allertori," 
saying  which,  and  with  a  hearty  good-bye,  he  was  gone. 

Not  many  days  after  these  events,  a  call  was  sent  out 
by  the  president  for  a  general  consultation  convention  to  be 
held  at  Chicago  thirty  days  hence.  It  was  to  be  composed 
of  three  delegates  from  each  state  and  territory,  for  each 
business  represented  in  that  state  or  territory.  That  is, 
there  were  to  be  from  each  state  and  territory  three  farm- 
ers, three  lawyers,  three  bankers,  three  doctors,  three 
preachers  and  so  on  through  the  Catalogue  of  honest 
callings. 

The  object  of  the  meeting  the  call  explained  as  follows : 

"  It  having  become  necessary  to  make  some  great 
changes  in  our  methods  of  regulating  the  relations  the 
several  classes  of  people  bear  to  one  another,  as  seen  in 
the  unrest  and  anxiety  manifested  on  every  hand  in  the 
great  amount  of  strikes,  the  countless  robberies,  the 
crimes  of  every  sort  and  kind,  the  increasing  number  of 
failures  in  every  branch  of  business  and  the  general  dis- 
trust and  doubt  on  every  hand,  together  with  the  fact  that 
Congresses  at  a  loss  what  to  do  to  satisfy  the  masses  in 


82  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

their  demands  and  the  utter  inability  of  our  wisest  men 
to  patch  up  the  old  ship  of  state  so  that  it  will  not  leak 
in  some  vital  point;  therefore,  I,  the  President  of  the 
United  States  of  America,  do  hereby  convene  this  con- 
vention for  the  purpose  of  consultation  between  the 
different  lines  of  business  represented  in  our  land,  to  the 
end  that  we  may  in  some  manner  arrive  at  a  mutual 
understanding  of  the  needs  of  state  under  the  present 
form  of  government. 

At  the  appointed  time  the  great  convention  met,  and 
was  called  to  order  by  the  president  of  the  nation.  The 
object  of  the  meeting  was  stated,  the  necessary  clerks 
elected  and,  in  order  that  they  might  have  order  and 
system  to  their  doings,  the  chairman  called  for  a  statement 
of  the  complaints  and  remedies  asked  for  by  each  line  of 
business. 

The  first  to  gain  the  floor  was  a  lawyer,  and  he  started 
out  in  eloquent  shape  to  portray  the  difficulties  surround- 
ing his  profession ;  how  some  of  the  big  lawyers  got  all 
the  cases  and  the  little  ones  starved  to  death,  and  of  the 
many  ways  the  people  had  of  settling  their  difiiculties 
without  going  for  a  lawyer;  of  the  many  wills  which 
ignorant  men  wrote  out,  and  which  defied  the  skill  of  the 
best  lawyers  to  break ;  the  many  trials  they  have  to  get 
the  many  ofiices  thaj;  have  much  pay  and  little  work; 
and,  by  the  way,  said  he,  "  We  want  that  passage  in  the 
Bible,  'Woe  to  ye  lawyers,'  declared  unconstitutional." 

The  editor  then  began  his  speech:  "I  tell  you,  my 
friends,  this  running  a  newspaper  on  promises  is  all 
bosh.  Why  don't  they  pa}'  us  as  j^romptly  as  they  do  the 
grocer,  the  banker,  or  any  other  bills  ?  We  send  a  paper 
for  ten  years,  only  to  have  it  put  back  in  the  post-office 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  83 

at  the  end  as  refused.  And  there  is  the  subject  of  news. 
Why,  do  you  know  that  it  takes  our  best  reporters  at  least 
half  an  hour  to  find  out  a  little  scrap  of  news  that  ought 
to  be  given  freely  ?  Then  there  are  mortgages,  paper 
and  postage  bills,  help  hire  and  the  devil  to  pay.''''  He 
wanted  the  government  to  make  the  paper  and  sell  it  to 
him  at  cost,  and  take  delinquent  subscription  accounts 
in  payment  therefor,  and  he  certainly  wanted  the  libel 
laws  repealed. 

The  farmer  had  been  trying  to  get  the  floor  all  during 
these  other  speeches,  and  was  now  recognized  by  the 
president.  His  speech  was  in  substance  like  this :  "For 
the  past  ten  years  I  have  been  selling  my  wheat  for  less 
than  it  cost  me  to  produce  it.  I  have  sold  cattle  for 
one  and  one-half  cents  a  pound  that  cost  me  four  cents  to 
produce.  I  have  paid  heavy  taxes,  exorbitant  interest 
and  about  one-third  the  value  of  my  produce  to  get  it  to 
market;  then  a  good,  big  slice  to  the  middle  man.  What 
I  must  have  is :  twice  as  much  for  what  I  have  to  sell  as 
I  now  get,  and  must  be  able  to  buy  the  necessities  of  life 
at  half  their  present  cost ;  and  the  interest  I  pay  must  be 
as  low  as  two  per  cent,  at  least.  Then  I  can  probably 
live." 

The  banker  then  arose  and  began :  "I  only  wish  that 
some  of  these  people  could  look  on  two  sides  of  a  ques- 
tion. They  talk  of  our  high  rates  of  interest  and  short 
time,  when  they  know  nothing  about  it.  They  point  to 
the  Bible  as  their  authority  on  the  usury  question,  when 
the  fact  is,  the  Bible  says  just  as  much  about  usury  on 
other  things  as  on  money.  The  man  who  is  well  paid 
and  satisfied  to  work  for  two  dollars  a  day,  with  no  long 
years  of  study  behind  it  to  learn  how,  and  no  capital. 


84  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

invested  to  lose,  is  taking  a  much  higher  rate  of  interest 
when  there  is  a  scarcity  of  labor  and  he  raises  his  figures 
to  three  dollars  a  day,  not  because  the  man  who  must 
hire  can  afford  it,  but  because  he  has  the  jjower  to  force 
him  to  do  it,  than  we  ever  pretend  to  ask.  Let  me  see: 
three  dollars  instead  of  two ;  a  profit  of  one  dollar,  or  fifty 
per  cent  a  day,  or  about  thirteen  hundred  in  a  month  of 
twenty-six  working  days,  or  fifteen  thousand  and  six 
hundred  a  year.  How  does  that  look  up  beside  our  ten 
or  even  twenty  per  cent  a  year  ?  The  man  who  sells  a 
horse  for  $110,  which  cost  him  $100  yesterday,  is  making 
ten  per  cent  a  day,  or  three  thousand  six  hundred  a 
year.  Oh,  they  say,  this  capital  cannot  be  turned  every 
day;  neither  can  ours.  If  we  had  laws  so  arranged  that 
we  could  always  collect  our  accounts,  then  we  would 
gladly  talk  about  less  interest." 

The  doctor  then  complained  about  dishonest  patients, 
who  would  not  give  truthful  answers  to  his  questions,  and 
then  curse  him  if  he  did  not  properly  diagnose  the  case 
and  perfect  a  cure.  He  also  complained  of  the  quacks, 
who  know  nothing  about  disease  or  medicine,  and  did  a 
great  work  for  the  undertakers  and  brought  disgrace  on 
the  profession.  ''  Our  charges,  too,  would  be  much  less 
if  the  people  were  as  prompt  to  pay  as  they  were  to 
promise,  when  sick.  We  would  cut  off  all  the  quacks 
and  lots  of  the  home  practice,  and  thus  improve  the 
health  of  our  people." 

The  saloon-keeper  complained  of  prohibition  and  loss 
of  personal  liberty,  and  cried  for  license.  He  also  wanted 
a  law  passed  making  it  a  misdemeanor  to  call  a  saloonist 
a  robber,  a  slow  murderer  and  man  without  a  heart,  etc. 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  85 

He  said  he  had  no  set  speech  prepared,  as  this  was  not 
their  way  of  working  conventions. 

A  lady,  up  near  the  speaker's  stand,  was  on  her  feet 
the  instant  the  saloonist  sat  down,  and  began : 

"  You  may  all  speak  of  your  troubles  and  difficulties, 
but  they  do  not  compare  with  our  trials.  We  pay  taxes, 
work  just  as  hard  as  the  men,  yes,  we  lose  the  characters 
of  our  boys  and  girls,  happiness  and  peace,  suffer  the 
pain  and  woe  of  living  with  a  drunken  husband  or  father, 
and  many  other  afflictions,  and  you  allow  us  not  even  the 
privilege  of  complaining  and  trying  to  aright  the  affairs 
around  us.  Just  give  us  a  blow  at  rum  and  its  power, 
and  we  will  with  one  awful  sweep  drive  half  of  the  misery, 
pain  and  woe  from  this  land  of  ours.  As  a  class  we  are 
your  equals  intellectually  and  far  above  you  morally,  and 
ought  to  have  the  same  rights  that  men  have.  Freedom 
and  equality  is  our  cry." 

The  preacher  made  a  speech  and  told  the  people  that 
it  would  be  much  better  if  preachers'  salaries  were  paid 
as  other  public  men's  wages  were  paid.  Then  they  could 
go  ahead  and  tell  the  people  who  professed  one  thing  and 
lived  another  just  what  was  to  become  of  them,  and  not 
work  an  injury  to  himself  by  doing  so. 

The  hired  girl  had  a  few  complaints  to  lay  before  the 
convention  for  action.  One  was  for  more  afternoons  off ; 
another  for  better  pay ;  also  for  much  more  freedom  in 
regard  to  the  length  of  the  time  she  could  sit  up  with  her 
affianced  at  night. 

No  one  class  seemed  willing  to  give  in,  even  for  a 
little,  to  the  opposite,  and  it  began  to  look  as  though  no 
plan  could  be  settled  upon,  and  that  they  were  to  go  to 
their  homes  and  allow  the  ever-widening  chasm  between 


86  TT   MICrHT   BE. 

labor  and  capital  to  spread  and  spread  until  no  possible 
way  of  settlement  would  be  possible,  but  utter  defeat  and 
degradation  of  the  weaker  side.  On  and  on  the  debate 
went  for  mure  than  a  week,  until  at  last  a  motion  is 
carried  to  adjourn  sine  die  at  four  o'clock  on  the  next 
afternoon,  and  the}^  were  just  ready  to  adjourn  that  day's 
fruitless  wrangle,  when  a  telegram  was  handed  the  chair- 
man, which  was  read  before  the  convention.  It  was  as 
follows : 

"SiLVERTON,  Pa. 

"  I'll  be  there  to-morrow.  Have  received  a  great  plan. 
It  will  be  sure  of  acceptance.  Traffobd  Allerton." 

It  was  with  a  good  deal  of  anxiety  that  the  nation 
awaited  the  results  of  the  next  day's  action.  For  it  did 
look  as  if  no  conclusion  could  be  reached,  and  they  would 
return  home,  only  to  allow  matters  to  go  on  getting  worse 
and  worse,  and  the  breach  between  the  food  producer 
and  the  food  consumer  to  grow  wider  and  wider. 

What  could  the  plan  be  that  the  great  man  of  the  age, 
Allerton,  seemed  to  be  so  sure  was  the  right  one  ?  Had 
he  not  done  wonderful  things  in  the  past,  and  would  he 
not,  in  some  strange  way,  draw  together  again  the 
estranged  factions  in  our  population  ?  What  was  meant 
by  his  strange  telegram,  was  the  subject  of  the  conversa- 
tion on  all  sides  that  night. 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  87 


CHAPTER  VI. 

"A  lucky  chance,  that  oft  decides  the  fate 
Of  mighty  monavchs."— Thomson. 

"Father,  I  have  never  seen  that  renowned  machine 
which  Mr.  Allerton  made,  and  wish  I  could.  I  am  sure 
he  would  grant  me  the  privilege,  if  you  will  only  let  me 
go.  You  are  one  of  the  best  fathers  a  girl  ever  had,  and 
I  don't  believe  you  will  say  no,  will  you  ?  "  said  Neva 
Tyrole  to  her  father. 

"  Well,  I  don't  know  that  I  have  any  objections,  if 
your  mother  can  be  induced  to  go  with  you." 

"You  may  rest  assured  that  means  go,  for  mother, 
long  ago,  consented  to  go,  and  this  morning's  mail 
brought  me  an  invitation  from  Mr.  Allerton  to  come 
down  and  see  and  hear  it." 

Mrs.  Tyrole  entered  the  room  just  then,  and  Neva 
turned  toward  her  and  continued  : 

"  Oh,  mother,  father  says  we  can  go  to  Silverton.  So 
let's  get  ready  and  go  in  the  morning." 

"Very  well.  I  can  go  as  well  then  as  any  time,  I 
think,  and  will  be  very  glad  of  the  opportunity  of  seeing 
such  a  wonderful  machine." 

So  it  was  settled  that  they  were  to  go  on  the  morning's 
train,  and  preparations  were  made  accordingly,  and  in 
due  season  they  arrived  at  Silverton  and  were  driven  by 
the  liveryman  to  the  cave  in  the  mountain,  where  they 
found  Mr.  Allerton  busy,  trying  to  study  out  something 


88  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

new  for  his  machine  to  do ;  .and  with  Trafford  they  found 
that  gentleman's  mother,  who  had  been  with  him  about  a 
week. 

The  great  machine  was  the  source  of  much  interesting 
study  to  Neva,  but  she  soon  learned  the  whys  and  where- 
fores of  its  many  levers  and  wheels,  and  many  were  the 
hours  they  all  spent  watching  the  canvas  and  listening  to 
the  stories  of  the  long  ago 

One  afternoon,  after  Neva  and  her  mother  had  been 
there  a  few  days,  Trafford  came  in  from  flying  the  great 
balloon  and  said  he  did  not  think  they  would  have  much 
time  that  afternoon  for  experimenting,  as  a  rain  storm 
seemed  to  be  apjiroaching,  and  as  the  storm  might  in 
some  way  affect  the  delicate  instruments,  he  did  not 
wish  to  run  much  risk  of  ruining  the  instrument. 

Tlie  machine  was  set  at  work,  and  they  were  soon 
watching  and  listening  at  the  scene  of  Gettysburg's  great 
battle;  and  shut  up  as  they  were  back  in  the  cave,  they 
did  not  notice  the  approach  of  a  thunder  storm,  which  was 
now  near  at  hand.  The  great  clouds  had  piled  up  higher 
and  higher  against  the  eastern  horizon,  until  now  the 
whole  eastern  heaven  was  one  black,  inky  mass  of  storm 
clouds,  from  which  incessantly  gleamed  the  lightning's 
flash,  its  lurid  glare  reflecting  from  mountain  peak  to 
mountain  peak,  and  from  valley  to  hilltop.  The  roar  of 
the  thunder  shook  the  old  mountainside  and  echoed  from 
peak  to  peak.  The  wind  had  been  blowing  in  the  face  of 
the  storm,  but  now  it  lulls.  Not  a  breath  seems  to  stir,  not 
a  leaf  on  the  trees  is  fluttering.  A  few  great  drops  of  rain 
fall  upon  the  leaves  yonder,  which  in  the  silence  sounds 
like  the  discharge  of  musketry  in  the  distance.  Now  the 
inky  mass  of  clouds  is  lit  up  by  a  brilliant  flash  of  light- 


IT    MIGHT   BE.  89 

ning,  and  the  crash  of  the  thunder  sounds  as  if  the 
mountains  were  clashing  against  each  other. 

The  inmates  of  the  cave  are  aroused  from  their  self- 
forgetfulness,  and  Trafford  rushes  to  the  door  and  out. 
One  good  look  he  takes  at  the  approaching  storm,  and 
then  hurriedly  enters  the  cave  to  break  the  connection 
there,  that  he  may  lower  the  balloon  into  a  safe  place 
until  after  the  storm  is  over.  He  hurries  across  the  room 
to  the  levers,  and  grasps  one  to  throw  it  back  and  break 
the  circuit,  when,  lo!  a  change  of  scene.  The  room 
seems  filled  with  fire ;  flash  after  flash  of  electricity  leaps 
from  one  machine  to  another,  and  Trafford  is  shocked 
and  falls  to  the  floor  insensible.  The  ladies  are  frightened 
and  sit  motionless,  viewing  the  awful  workings  of  the 
lightning. 

Do  you  see  that  canvas?  See  that  scene?  A  man 
and  woman,  clothed  with  leaves.  Yonder  in  the  dis- 
tance rise  shining  walls,  surrounding  a  garden.  Can  you 
see  the  tree  tops  above  the  wall?  See  those  blossoms, 
those  birds,  that  beautiful  waterfall,  as  it  leaps  from  the 
height  beyond  the  trees?  What  is  that  flash  of  light  that 
stands  in  the  doorway  there?  It  is  an  angel  form.  So 
bright  does  it  shine  that  the  lightning's  flash  across  the 
room  is  dim  in  comparison.  He  has  a  sword  in  his  hand, 
the  blade  of  which  seems  to  be  a  lightning's  flash.  There 
are  sounds.  Some  one  talking.  Neva  hears  the  conver- 
sation, and  no  sooner  does  she  hear  than  she  determines 
to  catch  it  in  the  phonograph.  Some  one  may  be  able  to 
interpret  it.  Quickly  she  arises  and  crosses  the  room. 
Great  balls  of  electric  fire  roll  around  her,  but  she  reaches 
the  lever  and  quickly  moves  it  down  into  its  place.  It 
moves;  the  cylinder  revolves.  That  conversation  is  being 


90  IT   MIGHT  BE, 

recorded.  She  returns  to  her  seat  and  falls  exhausted, 
but  soon  recovers,  and  with  the  mothers,  sits,  unable  to 
leave  the  seat.  Mrs.  Allerton  sees  Trafford  lying  upon 
the  floor  and  tries  to  go  to  his  relief,  but  is  unable  to  do 
so.  At  times  the  room  seems  filled  with  a  sheet  of 
flame,  and  then  the  electric  fluid  rolls  itself  up  in  a  ball 
and  rolls  over  the  floor,  and,  coming  in  contact  with  the 
wall,  it  bursts  with  a  loud,  sharp  report,  one  after  another 
following  in  quick  succession.  Never  before  did  that 
great  globe  shine  with  such  a  light.  It  is  so  brilliant  that 
they  are  blinded  by  it  and  cannot  see  the  changes  that 
are  wrought  on  the  canvas.  By  and  by  the  light  in  the 
globe  grows  less  brilliant.  Those  balls  of  fire  are  gone, 
and,  save  now  and  then  a  flash  and  report,  the  storm 
seems  about  over.  vStill  the  ladies  remain  in  their  seats, 
not  able  to  move.  Not  a  word  is  spoken.  Trafford  soon 
returns  to  sensibility  now,  and  as  a  flash  of  light  crosses 
the  room,  he  leaps  to  the  lever  and  jerks  it  down,  the 
connection  is  broken,  and  all  is  quiet. 

The  ladies  soon  awaken  out  of  their  benumbed  condi- 
tion, and  Trafford,  who  had  seen  and  heard  none  of  the 
sights  and  sounds  they  had  been  unwillingly  called  to 
experience,  is  soon  informed  of  what  happened.  He  goes 
out  of  doors,  and  there  quietly  sailing  is  the  great  bal- 
loon, far  above  the  storm  limit.  The  storm  is  over,  and 
in  its  wake  is  joyous,  refreshed  nature.  Trafford  enters 
the  cave,  and  speaking  to  the  ladies,  says : 

"  Did  the  canvas  show  anything,  or  were  there  any 
sounds  from  the  speaking  tube  there?" 

"  Yes,"  answered  Neva,  "there  was  such  a  pretty 
scene  of  a  beautiful  garden,   a  shining  angel  and  a  man 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  91 

and  woman  covered  with  leaves,  and  the  speaking  tube 
gave  the  conversation  of  the  people." 

' '  I  would  give  all  I  have  got  if  I  had  that  conversa- 
tion recorded,"  said  Trafford. 

"  Well,  it  is  recorded  in  that  phonograph,"  returned 
Neva.  "  I  thought  you  would  want  it,  so  I  pushed  the 
lever  over  there  in  its  place  and  you  have  it  safely 
recorded  there." 

Then  Mrs.  Allerton  explained  how  Neva  had  faced  the 
balls  of  fire  and  crossed  the  room  and  made  the  connec- 
tion. 

"  How  could  you  do  it,"  asked  Trafford,  "with  all 
that  lightning  and  thunder  around  you?  You  certainly 
have  much  more  bravery  than  I  ever  gave  you  credit  for." 

"  When  I  saw  that  garden  and  that  shining  angel, 
that  man  and  woman,"  she  answered,  "I  thought  it 
must  be  the  Garden  of  Eden,  and  that  the  conversation 
was  between  Adam  and  Eve,  and  I  knew  their  speech 
would  be  valuable,  so  connected  it." 

"  Let's  hear  what  they  said,"  was  his  reply,  as  he 
stepped  over  to  the  phonograph  and  attached  the  speak- 
ing tube  and  set  the  machine  in  motion. 

First  there  came  from  it  a  few  low,  moaning  sounds, 
then  a  number  of  sharp  reports  of  thunder,  followed  by 
the  sounds  of  some  one  talking. 

It  seemed  to  be  a  conversation  between  Adam  and 
Eve,  just  after  they  had  been  driven  from  the  Garden. 
Adam  is  calling  to  mind  and  telling  Eve  what  seems  to 
have  been  God's  plan  of  government.  Adam  thinks  as 
they  have  been  driven  from  God's  presence,  that  he 
might  forget  the  plan,  so  is  telling  it  to  Eve,  that  she  may 
help  him  to  remember  it.     He  speaks  of  future  nations. 


92  IT   MIGHT    BE. 

kings,  presidents  and  their  duties  to  one  another;  and  of 
many  kinds  of  business,  farming,  stock-raising,  mer- 
chants, physicians,  laborers,  rich  men,  etc.,  that  are  to  be 
in  the  future  days,  and  the  methods  God  gave  him  for 
their  government  and  the  transaction  of  their  business. 
What  a  plan!  It  opened  up  plainer  and  plainer;  more 
fair  and  just  than  any  scheme  they  had  ever  heard  of 
before.  On  and  on  it  went,  until  the  whole  plan  of 
national  and  self-government  was  opened  to  them  as  a 
vision  in  a  dream.  Adam  closed  his  talk  with  the  admo- 
nition that  they  must  teach  it  to  their  children,  and  they 
in  turn  to  theirs,  that  the  plan  might  not  be  lost,  so  that 
when  they  grew  to  be  a  great  nation  they  might  know 
how  to  proceed  in  the  government  thereof. 

"  Why  would  that  not  be  just  the  plan  for  our  govern- 
ment now?"  said  Elverton. 

"  It  would  certainly  do  for  this  or  any  other  nation," 
was  answered. 

"If  that  convention  at  Chicago  has  not  adjourned, 
this  plan  ought  to  be  placed  before  them  at  once.  Do  you 
know  whether  it  has  or  not?  I  have  not  read  a  daily 
paper  for  a  few  days  and  do  not  know  what  they  have 
done." 

*'  They  have  done  nothing  yet,"  she  returned,  "  and 
are  talking  of  adjourning  to-morrow." 

"  Then  I  must  go  there  to-night,  and  give  them  this 
plan  to-morrow.  To  be  sure  of  their  awaiting  until  to-mor- 
row 1  will  telegraph  the  chairman,"  said  Trafford,  as  he 
seated  himself  at  the  table,  on  which  was  a  telegraph 
instrument,  which  was  connected  with  the  wire  at  Silver- 
ton,  and  this  message  flashed  toward  Chicago : 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  93 

"  SiLVERTON,  Pa. 
"I'll  be  there  to-morrow.     Have  received  a  great  plan.    It 
will  be  sure  of  acceptance.  Tr afford  Allerton." 

After  the  message  had  been  sent,  Trafford  examined 
the  indicator  on  the  wall  and  found  that  it  had  been 
forced  far  below  any  point  he  had  ever  had  it,  indicating 
a  far  earlier  period  of  reach.  Some  of  the  wires  had  been 
melted  nearly  off,  and  all  the  evidence  was  to  the  effect 
that  the  amount  of  electricity  called  into  use  was  a  thou- 
sand times  greater  than  his  generators  could  possibly  pro- 
duce. Thus  he  plainly  saw  that  never  again  would  there  be 
a  probability  of  reaching  that  remote  period  of  time,  and 
thus  much  more  valuable  became  the  cylinder  in  the  ■ 
phonograph.  The  amount  of  electricity  used  in  reaching 
that  realm  of  time  could  not  be  safely  handled  by  any 
machine,  much  less  be  called  into  existence  by  it. 

All  is  arranged,  and  while  waiting  for  the  carriage, 
seated  in  the  cave,  Trafford  speaks  : 

"  Do  you  believe  that  this  plan  has  been  hid  all  the 
way  down  through  the  ages?  I  would  like  to  know  when 
and  how  it  was  lost,  and  why  it  was  not  used  all  along 
the  way  to  the  present." 

"  Maybe  it  has  been  used  and  tried  away  back  in 
Bible  times,  before  the  people  were  carried  away  into 
bondage  and  lost  all  their  old  customs  and  legislations," 
Neva  answered.  "  Did  not  Moses,  Joshua,  Samuel  and 
others  teach  the  people  and  write  their  teachings  in  a 
book  of  the  law?" 

"Yes,"  Trafford  answered,  ''  and  I  wish  I  had  time 
to  try  this  machine  on  some  of  those  times,  and  see  how 
their  teachings  compared  with  the  scheme  we  now  have." 

"  Can  I  try  some  of  them  to-night,  while  you  are  on 


94  IT    MICHT    BE. 

the  way  to  Chicago,"  replied  Neva,  "and  if  found  satis- 
foctory,  report  to  you  in  the  morning,  and  you  can  use 
them  in  the  convention  to-morrow?" 

"  Yes,  you  can,"  he  repHed,  "and  I  do  hope  that 
these  trials  will  confirm  what  we  now  have,  for  I  will  need 
to  explain  to  them  that  this  plan  has  been  used,  and  is  a 
success  in  every  particular." 

All  necessary  instructions  are  given  about  operating 
the  machine,  reporting  to  Trafford  and  connecting  the 
machine  with  the  Chicago  wire  for  use  on  the  morrow. 
The  carriage  arrives  and  away  he  goes,  while  Neva  sits 
down  to  study  the  dates  in  which  the  great  legislators  of 
ancient  days  made  their  parting  speeches  and  explained 
the  law  to  their  followers,  that  she  might  reach  them  for 
use  on  the  morrow. 

At  the  first  peep  of  day  people  began  to  arrive  at  the 
great  Chicago  auditorium.  The  little  telegram  of  the 
day  before  had  created  the  greatest  excitement  and 
wonder  the  nation  had  known  for  some  time.  The  people 
did  not  know  what  to  expect  from  this  wonderful  man. 
And  then,  such  a  telegram:  "I  have  received  a  great 
plan.  Sure  of  acceptance."  Had  received?  Where 
did  he  receive  it  from  ?  The  world  was  ignorant  of  such 
a  plan.  Had  he  seen  some  strange  vision  ?  Yet  he  was 
sure  of  its  acceptance.  What  kind  of  a  scheme  could  it 
be,  that  he  would  be  so  sure  of  acceptance,  when  every- 
thing the  learned  heads  of  the  nation  could  think  of  had 
been  placed  before  the  convention,  only  to  be  rejected  ? 
Would  his  great  machine  have  anything  to  do  with  it  ? 
Would  they  get  to  hear  its  strange,  weird  voice  ?  Would 
his  plan  be  accepted,  and  would  it  be  a  success  ?  The 
pations  of  the  world  had  been  looking  for  a  successful 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  95 

scheme  through  the  ages  and  had  failed.  Would  this 
commercial  traveler  and  inventor  step  out  in  this  nine- 
teenth century,  and  speak  peace  to  the  troubled  waters  of 
national  affairs  ? 

Those  who  had  attended  during  the  first  days  of  the 
convention,  but  had  despaired  of  anything  being  accom- 
plished and  had  gone  home,  could  be  seen  rushing  back 
during  the  night,  so  that  every  morning  train  in  Chicago 
had  a  full  load  to  deposit  in  the  city. 

The  morning  papers  were  filled  with  all  kinds  of 
guesses  as  to  what  the  scheme  could  be  and  where  it  was 
from,  and  speculations  as  to  the  ability  of  Mr.  Allerton 
to  cope  with  the  present  state  of  public  affairs.  One  paper 
said  it  meant  a  return  to  a  kingdom,  which  was  the  only 
right  method  of  government.  Another  guessed  it  was  a 
community  of  goods  arrangement.  Another  thought  it 
would  be  a  dividing  up  on  an  equality  and  beginning 
over  again. 

Silver  men  of  the  West  sent  in  requests  that  their  inter- 
ests might  not  be  lost  sight  of  in  the  new  plan.  The 
gold  men  of  the  East  were  on  hand  to  look  out  for  them- 
selves. The  farmer  was  determined  to  do  nothing  with 
it  if  it  did  not  help  the  price  of  his  wheat  and  hogs.  The 
banker  was  determined  that  it  should  not  interfere  with 
his  rates  of  interest.  The  lawyers  were  ready  to  tear  it  to 
pieces  and  show  that  it  was  not  constitutional.  And  thus 
each  and  every  delegate  was  nerving  himself  to  fight  it 
if  it  did  not  exactly  suit  his  ideas.  What  a  gauntlet 
the  new  plan  had  to  run  !  Could  it  possibly  pass  through 
successfully,  was  a  great  question. 

At  the  hour  appointed  for  the  convening  of  the 
coRiveiition,  the  president  took  the  chair  and  rapped  the 


96  IT   MIGHT    BE. 

meeting  to  order.  After  prayer  and  the  reading  of  the 
minutes  of  the  previous  day,  tlie  president  announced 
the  meeting  opened  for  business.  Some  one  arose  and 
asked  for  the  plan  mentioned  in  last  night's  telegram, 
but  was  informed  that  Mr.  AUerton  liad  not  arrived,  and 
would  not  reach  the  convention  until  afternoon;  where- 
upon a  motion  was  carried  to  adjourn  until  two  o'clock, 
as  there  would  be  no  use  in  wrangling  there,  as  nothing 
could  be  accomplished ;  and  that  if  Mr.  AUerton  had  no 
perfect  scheme,  they  had  better  go  home  and  countinue 
to  fight  it  out  on  the  old  line.  The  convention  stood 
adjourned  until  two  o'clock. 


IT   MIGHT    BE.  97 


CHAPTER   VII. 

"  Peace,  and  order,  and  beauty  draw 
Round  thy  symbol  of  light  and  law." — WTiittier. 

Mr.  Allerton  arrived  in  the  city  at  one  o'clock,  and  at 
once  went  to  work  arranging  the  stage  in  the  auditorium 
for  his  machines. 

Well  did  Trafford  know  what  a  gauntlet  his  plan  had 
to  I'un;  yet,  when  the  convention  was  convened  and  was 
called  to  order  at  two  o'clock,  and  he  was  called  to  the 
stage,  he  looked  over  the  great  crowd  calmly  and  self- 
possessed,  and  from  the  moment  he  faced  the  sea  of 
upturned  faces  he  was  master  of  the  scene. 

He  turned  and  addressed  the  chair,  then,  in  tones  as 
quiet  and  reassuring  as  the  summer  breeze  fans  the  leaves 
at  setting  of  the  sun,  he  began  : 

' '  This  hour  will  go  down  in  history  as  the  fulcrum 
upon  which  the  destinies  of  the  nation  turned  to  success, 
progress  and  glory.  It  is  not  necessary  that  I  sliould 
review  the  past,  nor  harangue  you  with  a  scene  of  the 
present,  nor  canvass  tlie  acts  of  this  convention.  Not  a 
ray  of  hope  could  be  gathered  therefrom.  No  beacon 
light  have  you  been  able  to  find  that  would  guide  us, 
stormed-tossed  mariners,  to  a  haven  of  rest.  I  sat  in  my 
cave,  in  the  far-off  mountain,  and  pondered  over  the 
condition  of  things  and  their  onward  drift,  wondering 
what  the  final  end  would  be,  but  could  find  no  anclior  to 
stop  the  great,  weather-beaten  ship  of  state  from  drifting 
over  the  Niagara  of  utter  ruin.  Then  I  thought,  '  Man's 
extremity  is  God's  opportunity,'  and  lias  been  His  way 


98  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

of  dealing  with  the  race  in  the  past.  Have  we  not 
reached  our  extremity  ?  Yes.  Will  we  profit  by  God's 
opportunity  ?     I  unhesitatingly  reply,  yes. 

''A  few  days  ago,  a  lady  came  to  visit  mother  and 
I,  and  see  my  inventions  in  my  mountain  home.  She 
soon  learned  the  way  to  govern  them,  and  understood  the 
whys  of  each  lever  and  wheel.  While  we  were  experi- 
menting a  few  days  ago,  there  came  up  a  great  storm 
from  the  valley  beneath,  and  in  some  way  the  electric 
forces  grasped  our  instruments." 

And  then  he  went  on  and  spoke  of  the  occurrence  and 
the  message  that  was  received,  and  of  how  it  was  secured 
by  Neva,  and  that  it  was  the  plan,  and  that  he  knew  it 
was  a  perfect  plan,  for  it  was  what  he  believed  to  be 
God's  way  of  governing.  Believing,  he  said,  that  there 
were  few  present  who  had  ever  heard  the  voice  of  the 
machine,  he  would  first  give  them  a  sample  of  its 
workings  and  then  the  plan. 

Few  people  here  had  come  expecting  to  hear  this 
wonderful  instrument,  and  were  most  agreeably  surprised 
to  hear  him  say  that  the  wished-for  opportunity  was  so 
near  at  hand.  A  hush  fell  upon  the  vast  throng.  So 
still  were  they  that  the  click  of  the  telegraph  instrument, 
as  he  sent  the  message  to  Neva  to  begin,  was  heard  all 
over  that  great  room.  The  instrument  ceased  its  clicking ; 
there  was  a  pause  of  about  five  minutes,  which  seemed  to 
the  anxious  throng  as  ten  times  that  space,  and  then,  in  a 
voice  low  and  sweet,  the  song  swelled  out. 

Louder  and  louder  it  grew,  until  that  vast  auditorium 
was  filled.  Such  melody  that  tlirong  had  never  heard 
before;  such  harmony  has  never  been  equaled  by  man. 
It  filled  the  room  to  the  farthest  corner  and  swept  over 


IT   MIGHT    BE.  99 

the  great  multitude,  moving  them  as  a  great  wind  would 
move  a  field  of  grain.  Men  seemed  endeavoring  to  hold 
their  feelings  in  check,  while  the  ladies  burst  into  great 
floods  of  tears,  then  to  clapping  of  the  hands  and  shouting. 
They  sing,  they  laugh,  they  shake  hands.  Then  as  the 
song  continues  and  becomes  more  and  more  powerful, 
the  commotion  in  that  throng  grows  less  and  less,  until 
each  one  sits  and  listens,  charmed  by  the  wonderful 
melody.  Their  faces  shine  with  radiant  joy ;  all  care  has 
flown,  and  such  a  marvelous  influence  has  the  song  over 
them  that  one  would  think,  to  look  at  them,  that  they 
had  been  suddenly  transported  to  the  regions  of  bliss, 
where  sorrow  and  sighing  flee  away.  But  all  things  here 
that  are  pleasant  and  grand  have  an  end,  and  so  it  is  with 
the  song.  It  reaches  its  climax  and  then  begins  to  die 
away  and  soon  is  gone,  and  the  sighs  and  sounds  from 
the  crowd  seem  as  the  drippings  of  the  rain  drops  from 
the  trees  after  the  passage  of  some  gentle  shower.  The 
angel's  song  to  the  shepherds  has  flown  out  and  out  on  its 
great  circuit  of  perpetual  progress.  Their  emotions  again 
quiet  down,  when  yonder  arises  the  banker,  who  speaks : 

"Mr.  President:  I  am  now  ready  to  agree  with  my 
opponents  on  their  way  out  of  our  troubles — " 

He  has  not  ceased  to  speak  before  they  are  on  their 
feet  and  are  ready  to  agree  with  him  on  his  plan.  The 
opposing  factions  all  over  the  hall  are  arising  with  the 
same  terms  to  offer,  and  it  now  begins  to  look  as  though 
something  would  be  accomplished.  But  this  emotion  will 
soon  wear  off  and,  if  nothing  is  done  here,  things  will  not 
be  changed. 

Mr.  Allerton  now  arises  and  motions  with  his  hand 
for  silence,  which  is  soon  regained,  and  he  speaks : 


100  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

"  I  now  believe  you  are  ready  for  our  great  plan,  and, 
if  so,  I  will  first  give  you  the  sounds  that  accompanied  its 
advent  into  the  world  again."  And  the  machine  again 
went  to  work,  giving  them  as  a  beginning  an  awful 
thunder  crash,  which  caused  the  ladies  to  scream  and  the 
men  to  tremble.  Louder  and  louder  it  grew  until  the 
building  shook  and  trembled,  and  the  mighty  sounds 
seemed  to  roll  over  and  over  around  the  room;  but 
it  soon  became  so  terrible  that  the  people  could  not  stand 
it,  and  it  had  to  be  shut  off.  Some  such  a  scene  it  must 
have  been  as  that  which  hung  over  Sinai's  mount  at  the 
giving  of  the  ten  commandments. 

There  is  a  short  pause,  and  then  Trafford  announces 
the  beginning  of  the  conversation  containing  the  great 
plan.  All  is  deathly  still  within  the  room,  save  the  talk- 
ing of  the  machine,  which  is  plainly  heard  by  all.  And 
now  the  secret  locked  up  in  Nature's  bosom  for  so  long  a 
time  is  made  public  property.  It  had  not  proceeded  far 
when  sounds  of  approbation  began  to  come  up  from  all 
over  the  room. 

''That's  the  way,"  "Amen,"  "Just  the  thing,"  and 
many  other  expressions  of  satisfaction  were  offered.  It 
is  not  long.  Each  department  of  its  workings  is  soon 
completed,  and  the  machine  has  told  its  story. 

A  hundred  people  are  on  their  feet  to  move  its  adop- 
tion and  as  many  to  second  the  motion. 

But  with  this  haste  Trafford  is  not  pleased.  He  waves 
them  to  their  seats  and  speaks : 

"  Thus  have  our  people  always  been,  too  fast  to  follow 
off  whatever  seems  to  please  their  present  fancy.  I  have 
received  word  since  my  arrival  here  that  the  machine  in 
the  cave  has  been  kept  busy  during  the  night,  and  that 


'  IT    MIGHT    BE.  101 

many  things  have  been  received  which  confirm  our  plan 
as  one  not  only  old  as  the  human  race,  but  one  tried  and 
found  to  be  a  complete  success,  as  important  witnesses 
will  testify  to.  Please  be  seated  and  listen,  while  I  call 
for  this  evidence." 

They  are  soon  seated,  a  message  sent  to  the  cave,  and 
the  instrument  speaks  again.  After  it  has  spoken  over 
again  speech  after  speech,  and  each  has  been  duly  inter- 
preted by  one  who  understood  the  dead  languages,  the 
lever  is  turned  and  all  is  over.  The  plan  is  public 
property,  now  before  the  convention  for  its  action. 

Here  and  there,  from  all  over  that  great  multitude, 
they  arise  and  exclaim : 

"  Who  would  have  thought  it  ?  "  "I  read  that  long 
ago!"  "  I  never  thought  that  was  meant  by  those 
passages."  "  How  simple  and  yet  how  true."  "  It  is  a 
certain  remedy." 

"Yes,"  spoke  up  Trafford,  "this  message  has  been 
in  our  possession  since  the  beginning,  never  lost  in 
all  our  darkness  and  wanderings ;  and  it  has  never  been 
secret,  but  open  before  our  senses.  And  we,  like  those 
of  old,  would  not  receive  its  meaning  until  brought  or 
sent  down  in  some  wonderful  way.  But,  thank  God,  we 
now  see  the  light  and  will  proceed  to  profit  thereby.  I 
call  for  the  question." 

The  motion  of  adopting  the  plan  is  carried  amidst  the 
greatest  enthusiasm. 

Then  the  plan  of  putting  it  in  operation  comes  up, 
and  some  are  so  anxious  to  see  it  at  work  that  they 
propose  that  this  convention  declare  it  the  law  of  the 
land,  and  proceed  to  carry  out  its  provisions,  without 
recourse  to  the  right  and  lawful  methods  of  getting  at  it. 


102  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

After  much  discussion  of  the  mode  and  plan  of  placing 
the  new  scheme  into  operation,  and  that  in  the  shortest 
possible  length  of  time — for  all  were  anxious  to  be  freed 
from  the  entanglements  which  surrounded  them,  and  to 
see  perfect  equality  in  actual  working  life — they  all 
reached  the  conclusion,  and  so  requested  the  president, 
that  the  best  way  to  proceed  was  along  the  methods  we 
now  have  of  placing  into  force  needful  laws.  It  was 
decided  that  each  citizen  of  our  nation  ought  to  know 
what  the  plan  was,  where  it  was  from  and  how  it  would 
work ;  and  as  the  best  means  of  extending  this  informa- 
tion, the  president  issued  a  call  for  a  special  convening  of 
Congress  for  the  purpose  of  calling  a  special  election  to 
vote  upon  this  plan.  In  due  time  Congress  convenes  and 
at  once  calls  the  special  election. 

Thousands  of  public  speakers  go  throughout  the  land 
explaining  the  plan,  not  one  of  whom  was  egged  or  denied 
a  hearing,  but  crowds  appeared  at  each  meeting,  eager  to 
hear  its  explanation.  Pamphlets  explaining  it  are  sent 
to  every  citizen  in  the  land.  Every  paper,  of  whatsoever 
kind,  carried  its  explanation  to  its  readers.  All  favor  it. 
It  is  preached  from  the  pulpit,  talked  on  the  streets  and 
highways,  prayed  over,  and  finally  voted  on  and  carried 
by  a  unanimous  vote. 

Congress  convenes  again,  passes  the  necessary  bills, 
the  president  signs  them,  and  they  become  the  law  of  the 
land. 

But  what  will  the  result  be  ?     We  shall  see. 

Never  before  did  the  people  settle  down  to  business 
after  an  election  with  such  a  unanimity  of  feeling  as 
now.  All  seemed  filled  with  hope.  This  was  now  to  be 
a  nation  of  equality  for  all  classes.     A  smile  was  on  the 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  103 

farmer's  face  and  a  joy  in  his  heart,  as  he  went  out  to  his 
work ;  for  he  knew  that  he  should  be  paid  for  his  labor ; 
no  guess  work  now.  The  debts  would  flee  away  as  mist 
before  the  rising  sun.  The  day  laborers  felt  happy  as 
they  went  out  to  work.  They,  too,  knew  that  they  would 
be  well  paid  for  their  labor  and  never  be  out  of  a  job. 
The  banker's  eyes  did  not  seem  half  so  keen  as  he  looked 
over  his  counter  at  his  customer,  who  wanted  a  short 
loan,  for  he  well  knew  that  the  man  could  easily  pay  it 
back.  He  also  knew  that  there  are  few  men  who  would 
not  pay  if  they  could.  The  editor  was  happy,  for  every 
one  would  pay  up  now,  and  the  crimes  reporter  could  be 
discharged,  for  there  would  be  but  little  for  him  to  do 
at  that  business  now.  His  labor  would  be  in  a  line 
intellectual  and  helpful  hereafter.  The  doctor  is  happy, 
for  he  would  be  called  only  by  those  who  could  well 
pay,  for  all  were  in  that  condition  now.  The  hearts  of 
the  ladies,  from  the  length  to  the  breadth  of  the  land, 
were  lighter  than  ever  before,  for  morality  and  the  nation 
were  now  "right  side  up  with  care."  Glorious  time! 
The  carpenter's  hammer  sounded  all  over  this  happy 
land;  the  miner  was  hard  at  work;  the  mechanic  was 
rushed  with  business;  the  mills  had  a  greater  demand 
for  breadstuffs  than  ever.  This  solved  the  over-production 
cry.  There  were  not  half  factories  enough  in  the  country, 
not  enougli  iron  mills,  not  enough  packing  houses,  not 
enough  manufactories,  not  enough  anything  of  this  kind. 
What  a  rush !     What  a  change ! 

One  great  element  in  the  cause  of  this  change  was  the 
putting  to  work  of  the  2,000,000  idle  men  of  this  country, 
none  of  whom  now  receive  less  than  three  dollars  a  day, 
or  in   the  year  about  $1,800,000,000,  which  is  expended 


104  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

for  food,  clothes  and  the  necessities  of  life.  No  wonder 
all  the  other  trades  are  benefited  by  such  an  impetus  to 
prosperity!  Then  another  element  of  success  was  tiie 
putting  of  the  1,300,000  men  dependent  on  the  liquor 
traffic  to  work,  making  in  honest  ways  their  $1,200,000,000. 
And,  too,  the  $118,000,000  of  capital  which  was  invested 
in  the  manufacture  of  liquor,  giving  33,600  people  work 
with  a  yearly  payroll  of  $15,000,000,  now  in  other  indus- 
tries gives  employment  to  135,000  men,  with  a  yearly 
pay  roll  of  $1,200,000,000,  with  the  great  saving  for  food 
and  clothes  of  the  $1,200,000,000  once  spent  for  liquor. 
It  looks,  when  summed  up,  like  this  : 

Pay  of  idle  laborers  set  to  work $1,800,000,000 

Wages  of  those  from  liquor  employment,   in- 
crease   1,185,000,000 

Amount  saved  from  liquor  consumption 1,200,000,000 

$4,185,000,000 

Over  fifty  dollars  for  every  man,  woman  and  child  in 
the  land,  and  that,  too,  each  year.  Three  times  the 
amount  of  money  in  circulation  in  the  country.  Would 
not  these  items  alone  make  a  complete  change  in  our 
financial  affairs,  and  that,  too.  in  a  few  days?  Thank  God 
for  that  thunder  storm,  which  gave  us  the  great  scheme. 

While  these  mighty  changes  were  going  on  around 
him,  Trafford  Allerton  was  busy  working  away  in  his 
mountain  cavern.  That  you  may  get  some  idea  of  the 
line  he  is  working  on,  listen  to  his  description  of  his  feel- 
ings, as  given  to  Neva  Tyrole,  the  two  fathers  and 
mothers,  who  are  out  there  on  a  visit: 

"  I  was  in  Baltimore  a  short  time  ago,  and  was  walk- 
ing down  the  street  during  a  heavy  thunder  storm,  when 
the  lightning  came  down  and  rolled  along  the  streets  as 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  105 

great  balls  of  fire.  To  me,"  he  said,  "  there  was  nothing 
to  fear,  as  all  the  people  around  me  seemed  to  think.  I 
felt  very  strange  about  it,  as  I  had  never  felt  before.  To 
me  those  flashes  of  electricity  seemed  to  be  arms  held 
out  imploringly,  and  the  flashes  of  light  were  but  eyes, 
looking  entreatingly,  and  the  terrific  thunderings  said  to 
me:  *  Oh,  release  me  from  these  bonds,  which  hold  me 
by  chains  I  cannot  break.  Why  do  you  stand  and  see 
me  writhe  and  twist  in  my  agony  and  not  lend  a  helping 
hand?  Why  am  I  obliged  to  go  on  in  this  way,  burning 
buildings,  frightening  the  timid,  sending  the  awful  cyclone 
on  its  mission,  leveling  forests  and  homes  alike,  taking 
human  life,  when  I  am  destined  by  the  Creator  to  higher 
and  nobler  ends?  Oh,  my  ought-to-be  master,  come  to 
my  relief.  Open  the  doors  of  this  prison  house,  and  I'll 
be  your  servant  as  long  as  time  shall  last.' 

"  It  was  an  effort  for  me  to  keep  from  rushing  into  the 
street  and  grasping  that  monster  ball  of  death-dealing 
fluid  in  my  arms  and  telling  it  how  I  longed  to  loosen  its 
bands,  but  knew  not  how.  Since  that  time  I  have  been 
studying  the  subjects  offered  to  me  there.  I  have  won- 
dered if  it  is  true,  as  suggested  to  me  then,  that  the  true 
mission  of  this  subtle  something  was  for  some  other  and 
more  useful  work.  Ought  we  not  to  have  the  power,  as 
we  saw  the  terrific  tornado  coming,  to  turn  it,  as  we  do 
the  incoming  locomotive,  simply  by  opening  a  switch, 
and  if  this  power  is  for  us,  if  we  will  only  study  it  out, 
are  we  not  then  to  blame  for  all  the  death  and  destruction 
this  powerful  agent  is  the  cause  of? 

"  May  not  this  earth,  the  ball  itself,  be  a  vast  storage 
battery  for  this  great  force,  into  which  it  rushes  whenever 
the  atmosphere  is  over-charged  therewith?     The  flash  of 


106  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

the  lightning  shoots  earthward,  the  cyclone's  force  is 
spent  in  the  same  direction ;  for  I  have  seen  where  small 
frail  pieces  of  wood  have  been  pulled  into  the  hard  ground 
by  its  force;  it  was  not  driven  in,  for  the  stick  would  not 
stand  the  pressure  necessary  to  do  so.  Electricity  is  the 
power  of  these  storms,  as  is  easily  proven.  Have  you  not 
read  that  in  cyclones,  chickens  are  stripped  from  their 
feathers  and  rabbits  of  their  hair?  Truly,  the  work  of  the 
electric  current.  Then,  if  it  is  a  fact  that  the  earth  acts 
as  a  great  storage  battery,  we  ought  to  have  some  method 
of  drawing  off  the  surplus  electricity  from  the  atmosphere, 
and  thus,  when  we  saw  an  electric  storm  forming,  we 
could  turn  on  the  connections  and  draw  the  cause  of  the 
storm  down  and  store  it  up  in  the  old  earth,  where  we 
might  be  able  to  control  it." 

He  ceased  speaking,  and  Neva  spoke  up : 

* '  I  have  been  wondering  what  it  was  that  caused  that 
storm  we  had  up  here  a  while  ago  to  reach  this  height, 
which  is  above  the  limit  of  storms,  and  have  thought  that 
this  machine  had  a  magic  influence  over  it  and  lifted  it 
up  above  its  regular  sphere,  where  it  Avas  utilized  and 
Avorked  for  our  benefit.  It  seems  to  me,  if  the  conditions 
here  would  lift  the  current,  why  would  they  not,  if  placed 
below"  the  circuit,  lower  it,  where  we  might  utilize  it  by 
running  it  into  our  batteries,  to  be  used  for  lights  and 
motive  power." 

' '  I  had  thought  a  good  deal  about  that  storm  and  the 
cause  for  its  sudden  elevation,  and  could  not  solve  it,  but 
I  believe  your  solution  is  true,"  said  Trafford,  "and  I 
will  — " 

There  is  a  sound  from  the  telegraph  instrument. 
Click,  click.     Trafford  picks  up  a  sheet  of  paper,  and  as 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  107 

he  reads  the  sounds  he  writes  it  out  on  paper,  and  this  is 
what  he  has  written  : 

i\lELBOURNE,   AUSTRALIA,   

To  Bank  of  England, 

London: 
Send  one  million  pounds  gold  by  first  steamer. 

Bank  of  Australia. 

He  reads  it  aloud,  and  a  more  astonislied  man  you 
seldom  see  than  was  Trafford. 

"  Where  did  this  come  from,"  he  asks;  then  touch- 
ing the  key  he  asks  for  Melbourne,  when  the  answer 
comes  back  at  once.  He  asks  who  it  is  he  is  talking  to, 
and  many  other  questions,  tells  who  and  where  he  is  and 
receives  the  answers,  until  they  are  satisfied  that  the  elec- 
tric current  is  leaping  across  the  continent  and  over  the 
ocean  to  the  far  away  land,  when  suddenly  the  sounds 
cease  and  his  best  efforts  will  not  start  them  again.  The 
circuit  is  broken.  But  the  why  of  it  puzzles  him.  He  can- 
not tell  its  cause. 

After  much  study  and  talk  they  come  to  the  conclu- 
sion that  in  some  way  his  telegraph  instrument  reached 
the  same  conditions  as  tliat  attained  by  the  one  in  Aus- 
tralia, which  opened  the  circuit,  and  when  it  lost  that 
condition  it  closed  the  circuit. 

But  how  to  demonstrate  and  prove  it  and  put  it  into 
active  use  was  another  great  problem  for  the  inventor  to 
solve. 

Work  on,  thou  most  marvelous  man  of  the  coming  gen- 
eration, and  may  thy  efforts  be  successful  in  unloosing 
the  bands  of  the  gigantic  forces  wrapped  up  in  Nature's 
prisons,  and  the  bending  of  them  to  our  use. 

"  It  must  be  solved,"  he  says.  "  I  will  call  the  great 
men  of  science  to  my  aid,  and  we  will  open  this  mystery." 


108  IT    MIGHT    BE, 

The  next  mail  carries  thirty  or  forty  invitations  to  the 
foremost  men  of  the  nation,  in  the  study  of  electricity,  to 
meet  with  Trafford  Allerton  in  New  York  City,  ten  days 
hence,  to  help  him  in  the  solution  of  a  new  problem  in 
their  line. 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  109 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

"Thy  fate  is  the  common  fate  of  all, 
Into  each  life  some  rain  must  fall, 
Some  days  must  be  dark  and  dreary."— Longfellow. 

In  the  parlor  of  a  New  York  City  hotel,  about  thirty 
men  are  congregated  together.  They  are  the  best  skilled 
men  in  the  electrical  sciences  that  the  Union  affords.  One 
man  is  talking,  it  is  Trafford  Allerton,  and  this  is  what 
he  says : 

"  That  you  may  understand  the  cause  of  this  called 
conference,  I  will  make  an  explanation,  relate  some 
observations  and  offer  a  few  suggestions  : 

"  I  believe  that  electricity  works  under  similar  laws  to 
those  that  govern  the  other  forces  about  us.  For  example, 
water  is  a  blessing  when  it  falls  from  the  gentle  shower, 
runs  down  the  little  rivulet  or  seeps  away  in  the  veins 
under  the  ground,  and  a  thousand  other  ways;  but  when 
penned  up  in  too  great  a  quantity  for  its  barriers,  it  is  an 
injury,  as  in  the  broken  mill  dam,  the  destroyed  dyke 
along  the  river,  the  waterspout  or  the  exploded  boiler. 
Air  is  a  blessing,  but  when  traveling  sixty  or  eighty  miles 
an  hour  it  is  transformed  into  a  great  destructive  force. 
Heat  is  a  blessing,  but  when  in  too  great  an  amount 
destroys  crops,  property  and  Ufe.  Thus  we  might  include 
money,  hunger,  force  of  any  kind,  darkness,  light,  etc., 
etc.  What  these  things  must  have  to  be  useful  is  equali- 
zation— great  quantities  where  needed,  and  lesser  where 
the  need  thereof  is  less.  Thus  I  believe  it  is  with  elec- 
tricity.    We  must  have  some  of  it,  but  its  congregating 


110  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

in  too  great  an  amount  in  a  certain  place  causes  it  to 
break  over  its  bounds  and  do  a  vast  amount  of  damage. 
It,  too,  needs  equalization.  Then,  I  believe,  we  will  have 
our  rain  in  its  season,  the  clouds,  or  the  absence  thereof, 
as  needed,  and  a  lack  of  great  thunder  storms  and 
cyclones.  Some  parts  of  our  country  need  more  than 
others  to  produce  a  like  result,  on  account  of  the 
surrounding  conditions  being  different.  Thus,  the  amount 
of  rain  one  county  would  need  would  flood  and  ruin  the 
crops  in  another.  I  believe  we  ought  to  have  a  system 
of  electricity,  so  combined  that  the  whole  body  thereof 
shall  remain  at  a  level,  and  that  great  quantities  in  one 
place  may  be  drawn  off  to  fill  vacancies  in  another.  I 
propose  the  appointment  of  committees  to  ascertain  the 
amount  of  electricity  which  will  produce  certain  results  in 
different  sections  of  the  country,  and  then  the  building  of 
a  system  to  equalize  this  force.  The  system  can  be  so 
arranged  that  when  a  certain  locality  has  too  much  force 
it  will  overflow  to  some  place  that  lacks." 

His  speech  continued  until  he  had  outlined  all  his 
policy,  when  it  was  taken  up  by  the  others  and  added  to 
or  criticized,  until  they  all  became  of  one  mind,  and  the 
necessary  committees  were  appointed  to  travel  through 
the  land  to  test  and  make  records  of  the  resistant  force 
throughout  the  Union. 

Trafford's  mother  wishes  a  trip  to  the  mountains,  so 
he  chooses  as  his  route  Kansas,  Nebraska  and  Colorado. 
Neva  and  her  mother  are  invited  to  accompany  them,  and 
gladly  accept  the  invitation.  The  desired  instruments 
and  machines  are  soon  built  and  they  are  on  the  way  to 
Kansas.  Their  first  stop  is  made  in  Western  Kansas. 
They  arrive  at  their  destination  a  little  after  noon,  and 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  Ill 

pass  the  balance  of  the  day  in  getting  the  wagon  and 
instruments  ready  for  a  trip  out  into  the  sand  hills  on  the 
morrow,  to  begin  their  experiments.  A  good  supply  of 
food  is  laid  in,  for  they  expect  to  be  gone  a  number  of 
days,  and  the  next  morning  they  are  away  to  the  north. 
About  twenty  miles  from  the  city  they  enter  the  sand 
hills,  and  soon  come  to  a  place  they  consider  suitable  to 
make  the  first  test.  That  afternoon  is  passed  in  placing 
the  machinery  for  the  test.  The  principal  part  of  the 
experiment  machinery  consists  of  a  large  box,  which  was 
about  four  feet  square  and  six  feet  high,  the  sides  of 
which  were  copper ;  a  steel  bottom  and  the  copper  top 
was  extended  much  like  a  pipe  to  an  uj^right  engine.  To 
this  box  were  adjusted  the  necessary  instruments  for  the 
test.  It  had  a  door  of  glass  at  one  side,  large  enough  for 
a  person  to  enter  by.  He  expected  to  make  the  necessary 
tests  by  the  aid  of  the  chemicals  which  were  brought  along, 
by  their  action  within  and  escaping  from  the  car  pipe, 
much  like  the  way  modern  rain-makers  try  to  operate. 

The  necessary  arrangements  are  all  made,  and  they 
await  the  morning  to  try  the  experiment.  It  was 
arranged  that  Neva  was  to  adjust  the  instruments  within 
the  box,  while  Trafford  arranged  the  batteries  attached 
to  the  outside  thereof.  The  morning  arrived,  and  after 
a  hasty  breakfast  they  began  operations,  with  much 
anxiety,  wondering  if  the  instruments  would  do  the 
wished- for  service.  Through  the  glass  door  in  the  side  of 
the  box  Neva  enters  and  adjusts  the  instruments,  and 
prepares  to  change  them  as  may  be  necessary  during  tlie 
test.  Trafford  makes  the  arrangements  from  the  outside, 
and  the  instruments  soon  record  a  change,  which  is 
pjccitedly  communicated  to  Trafford.     Higher  and  higher 


112  IT   MIGHT    BE. 

the  pressure  goes,  more  and  more  they  become  excited  as 
they  watch  the  favorable  progress  of  the  test.  The  two 
mothers  watch  it  with  much  interest,  and  excitedly  move 
around  on  first  one  side  and  then  another.  Higher  and 
higher  it  climbs,  until  Neva  says  slie  begins  to  feel  the 
effects  of  the  electricity,  still  up  and  up  the  gauge  goes. 
Another  and  another  turn  Trafford  gives  the  crank.  The 
sky  is  clear,  but  suddenly  they  are  stricken  down  by  a 
blinding  flash  of  light,  a  deafening  roar  follows,  and  when 
the  three  outside  the  box  arise,  lo!  to  their  horror,  they 
see  the  box  suddenly  arise.  Trafford  leaps  toward  it,  but 
it  is  above  his  reach.  It  rises  up  and  up.  Look,  the 
glass  door  is  open  and  Neva  is  looking  down.  Too  high 
to  jump.  What  can  she  do  but  stand  and  look  and 
scream?  What  can  they  do  but  look  and  tremble,  horror- 
struck?  Higher  and  higher  it  goes,  and  faster  and  faster 
it  rises.  It  grows  smaller  and  smaller  to  their  gaze.  The 
women  run  wildly  around,  screaming  for  help,  but 
Trafford  is  powerless.  The  machine  has  gone,  and  taken 
with  it  Neva.  The  batteries  are  connected  upon  the 
outside  thereof,  out  of  the  reach  of  even  Neva.  It  is  now 
a  speck  in  the  azAire  blue,  fainter  and  fainter  it  becomes, 
until  the  mother  through  her  tears  can  see  it  no  longer. 
Soon  it  is  lost  to  Trafford's  view  also.  The  women  sit 
down  upon  the  ground  and  sob,  heart-broken.  The 
mother  turns  to  Trafford : 

'^  What  will  become  of  her?  Will  it  fall?  Where  is 
it  going  to?"  To  all  of  which  he  can  give  no  satisfactory 
answer.  He  does  not  know.  Nothing  can  be  done  but 
sob  and  fear. 

"  She'll  starve  to  death  if  it  don't  fall  and  kill  her," 
the  mother  exclaims. 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  113 

"Yes,  if  it  does  not  come  down  soon,"  Trajfford 
answered.  '' There  was  a  keg  of  water  in  the  box,  we 
needed  in  the  tests,  that  will  quench  her  thirst  for  awhile, 
and  our  canned  food  was  put  in  there  to  be  out  of  the 
way  in  coming  out  here.  These  will  last  her  awhile.  But 
where  has  she  gone?" 

The  sorrowing  ones  conclude  the  best  they  can  do  is 
to  return  to  the  city  and  send  word  all  around,  that 
people  may  be  on  the  lookout  for  her  remains,  for  surely 
that  thing  would  soon  fall,  for  it  was  very  heavy. 

The  last  they  saw  of  it,  it  was  traveling  up  and  east  at 
a  fearful  rate,  seemed  to  be  gaining  momentum  as  it  went 
on  and  on. 

Sadly  they  retraced  their  way  to  the  city  they  had  left 
the  day  before,  and  made  known  the  sad  story  of  Neva 
Tyrole. 

The  sad  and  wonderful  story  of  her  ascension  is  soon 
hurled  by  the  telegraph  over  the  Union  and  across  to  the 
Eastern  world. 

The  result  of  these  tests  was  being  awaited  with  so 
much  anxiety  everywhere,  that  this  was  all  the  sooner 
known  and  by  nearly  everyone. 

As  Trafford  walked  his  room  that  night  and  studied 
how  to  solve  the  mystery  and  where  to  find  her,  he  was 
nearly  crazed.  Besides  her  strange  departure,  he  now 
begins  to  realize  that  his  feelings  for  her  were  stronger 
than  he  had  supposed.  He  had  been  so  busy  that  he  had 
not  stopped  to  think  of  love,  but  now  that  she  was  gone, 
he  forgets  his  discoveries  in  the  electric  world  and  makes 
the  discovery  in  his  own  breast  that  he  loved  Neva  Tyrole. 

'^  Where  is  she?"  he  asks  himself  over  and  over  again. 
"  Can  it  be  that  this  solar  system  has  one  common  but 


114  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

great  current  of  electricity  that  the  planets  run  on,  like 
one  car  after  another  on  a  street  railway,  with  here  and 
there  a  switch,  and  that  she  is  off  on  that  great  attraction 
and  may  land  in  the  moon,  or  Jupiter,  or  Saturn,  or 
maybe  the  sun?  Can  it  be  that  this  world  is  thus  run  on  a 
great  circuit,  which  may  enter  at  the  North  Pole  and  pass 
out  at  the  South,  and  thus  cause  the  revolution  of  the 
earth  on  its  axis,  like  a  great  motor?  Where,  oh,  where 
has  she  gone?  Will  I  ever  see  her  again?  Oh,  my  God, 
keep  her;  protect  her." 

No  sleep  do  they  get  that  night.  There  is  nothing 
they  can  do  here  to  help  her,  so  the  morning  train  starts 
them  back  for  their  Eastern  home,  but  oh,  how  much 
different  than  when  they  came  out. 

''  If  she  was  only  dead,"  the  mother  sobs,  "I  could 
stand  it.  But  oh,  my  daughter,  where,  oh,  where  are 
you?"  The  machine  in  the  cave  fails  to  give  any  news 
of  her  whereabouts,  though  tried  again  and  again. 

The  days  roll  on  into  weeks,  yet  no  tidings  of  the  lost 
Neva  Tyrole  reach  the  anxious  waiters. 

What  can  they  do  to  find  her?  The  nation  knows  of 
her  loss,  l)ut  that  is  as  far  as  they  can  go.  The  weeks 
wear  away  into  months,  and  the  months  into  years,  but 
not  a  word  ever  comes  from  her. 

The  tests  have  been  made,  no  other  accident  having 
happened,  and  the  idea  has  been  put  into  practical  use. 

The  nation's  prosperity  and  improvements  in  all  lines 
climbs  up  higher  and  higher,  but  no  tidings  come  of  the 
lost  one,  until  it  has  long  ago  ceased  to  be  the  subject 
of  much  talk,  except  among  the  relatives.  But  Trafford 
has  been  studying  these  long  years,  until  now  that  five 
years  have  flown  away  and  he  has  decided  upon  making 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  115 

an  effort,  a  desperate  effort,  to  find  her.    He  has  reasoned 
in  this  way : 

"Just  before  that  flash  of  Hghtning,  she  told  me  where 
the  gauge  stood.  I  know  how  the  machine  was  made, 
and  how  much  there  was  of  the  different  chemicals  used. 
Now,  if  I  go  out  where  she  started  from  and  charge  a 
machine  as  that  one  was  charged,  why  will  it  not  take 
me  where  she  was  taken?  True,  she  may  have  been 
taken  to  an  awful  death,  but  I  was  the  cause  of  her 
departure.  I'll  risk  my  life  in  a  desperate  attempt  to 
solve  this  mystery  and  find  her." 

His  parents,  as  well  as  Neva's  and  his  host  of  friends, 
try  to  dissuade  him  from  his  awful  attempt,  but  he  will 
not  change. 

A  machine  is  built,  an  exact  mate  to  the  one  she  took 
her  departure  in.  The  same  spot  they  had  tried  the 
machine  in  five  years  before  is  found,  and  the  machinery 
unloaded.  This  time  he  goes  prepared.  He  takes  a 
barrel  of  water,  plenty  of  food,  a  good  gun  and  lots  of 
ammunition,  extra  clothing,  and  a  large  amount  of  the 
chemicals  to  replenish  the  buttery  and  instruments, 
although  he  fills  it  with  the  same  amount  he  first  put  in. 

The  news  of  this  daring  attempt  had  been  sent  all  over 
the  land,  and  a  multitude  of  people  are  present  to  see  him 
off.  Sad  are  the  partings  l)etween  the  joarents  and  son 
and  his  many  friends,  but  he  breaks  away  at  last  and 
enters  the  box.  He  has  arranged  a  crank,  by  which  the 
machinery  on  the  outside  of  the  car  can  be  worked  from 
within.  None  are  daring  enough  to  wish  to  accompany 
him,  for  as  no  news  has  ever  been  heard  from  Neva,  they 
all  believe  her  dead.  None  care  to  risk  the  attempt 
simply  for  the  novelty  of  the  thing. 


116  IT    MIGHT      BE. 

The  connections  are  made,  and  the  work  begins.  The 
gauge  on  the  inside  begins  to  rise  higher  and  higher,  up 
and  up,  when  Trafford  puts  his  head  out  of  the  door 
and  warns  the  people  of  the  close  proximity  to  the  height 
reached  when  the  flash  of  lightning  fell  before,  and  they 
hurriedly  back  away. 

Strange  scene;  thousands  of  people;  hundreds  of 
vehicles  in  a  great  circle,  facing  inwardly,  where  sits  this 
strange  looking  box.  We  could  never  write  the  thoughts 
that  go  galloping  through  Trafford 's  brain.  The  box 
seems  to  grow  bright,  then,  with  a  blinding  flash  of 
lightning,  an  awful  roar,  and  the  people  look  expectantly, 
but  nothing  can  be  seen.  Then  they  look  up  and  far 
away  in  the  azure  blue,  they  see  that  box,  rushing  through 
space  with  tremendous  velocity.  It  seemed  to  be  a  better 
conductor  than  the  former  one,  or  in  its  glad  expectancy 
on  its  search  for  the  lost  lady,  starts  off  with  wonderful 
rapidity.  It  grows  smaller  and  smaller  to  the  gaze,  and 
is  lost  to  the  view  of  the  naked  eye,  and  soon  to  the  many 
spy-glasses  turned  toward  it. 

With  heavy  heart,  the  father  and  mother  and  many 
friends  return  to  their  homes,  wondering  if  they  shall  ever 
hear  from  the  lost  son  and  daughter. 

The  editors  of  the  land  indulge  in  a  good  many 
speculations  as  to  the  result  of  the  voyage  out  into  space. 
Some  even  try  to  prophesy  of  its  successful  completion, 
saying :  ' '  Who  ever  heard  of  anything  keeping  Trafford 
from  accomplishing  that  which  he  attempted?"  All 
seemed  to  look  toward  it  favorably,  and  expected  an  early 
solution  of  the  mystery. 

While  the  country  had  grown  wonderfully  in  the  past 
five  years,  and  progressed  to  a  marvelous  height  in  the 


IT    Mir.HT    BR.  117 

sciences,  yet  there  was  much  yet  to  be  done  in  this  line, 
and  it  was  with  regret  that  the  people  looked  on  the 
departure  of  the  one  who  had  contributed  so  much  toward 
the  success  attained,  and  was  at  the  time  at  the  head  of 
the  department  of  electricity  of  the  nation. 


118  IT   MIGHT   BE. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

The  blinding  flash  of  Hghtning  did  not  affect  Trafford, 
but  he  was  terribly  shaken  up  by  the  sudden  start  his  car 
took  in  its  upward  flight,  and  when  he  had  time  to  recover 
himself  and  arise  from  the  floor,  he  looked  and  the  instru- 
ment indicated  an  altitude  of  5,000  feet.  The  roar  made 
by  the  awful  rush  of  the  car  through  the  air  was  deafen- 
ing, and  it  was  some  time  before  he  could  so  collect  himself 
as  to  be  able  to  think  or  act  as  he  wished.  As  he  rose  higher 
and  higher  the  sound  grew  less  and  he  became  more  used 
to  it.  He  looked  out  of  the  glass  door,  down  and  down 
Cities  seemed  like  scattered  flowers  in  a  field,  and  the 
rivers  looked  like  crooked  threads.  He  could  see  that  he 
was  rushing  eastward  with  tremendous  velocity.  Great 
cities  seemed  to  pass  under  him  as  telegraph  poles  by  a 
passing  train.  He  could  see  a  white  sheet  of  water  ahead 
of  him,  which  he  was  not  long  in  reaching,  and  as  he 
passed  it  he  came  in  sight  of  another,  which  he  supposed 
to  be  one  of  the  great  lakes.  They  were  off  to  the  north 
of  him,  but  how  far  he  could  not  tell.  Now  and  then  the 
car  would  tip  a  little  forward  and  the  rushing  air  would 
act  upon  the  open  chimney  to  his  car  in  such  a  manner 
as  to  create  an  ear-splitting  shriek,  far  shriller  than  any 
locomotive  whistle.  Yet  on  and  on  he  flew.  He  had 
intended  to  keep  a  record  of  the  changes  in  his  instru- 
ments, but  he  was  so  excited  that  he  forgot  all  about  it. 
He  rushes  on  and  on,  over  great  cities,  past  here  and 
there  a  mountain,  and  he  notices  that  the  sun  is  sinking. 
For  the  first  he  thinks  of  the  flight  of  time  and  takes  out 


IT    MIGHT    P,E.  119 

his  watch.  It  is  seven  o'clock.  He  has  been  on  the  go 
for  ten  hours  and  it  seemed  like  an  hour  only.  He  did 
not  think  of  getting  hungry  or  thirsty  before,  but  now 
takes  a  little  lunch.  It  grows  dark  and  the  twinkling 
stars  are  plainly  seen  through  the  top  of  the  car.  Along 
toward  nine  o'clock  he  looks  out  of  the  glass  door  before 
him  again  and  he  discovers  the  broad,  white  bosom  of  a 
great  body  of  water,  and  knows  that  he  is  nearing  the 
Atlantic  ocean,  which  causes  the  cold  chills  to  creep  over 
him.  Will  the  chemicals  in  the  batteries  last  long 
enough  for  him  to  cross  the  ocean,  or  will  he  sink  beneath 
the  wave?  Can  it  be  that  there  is  where  Neva  sleeps 
so  silent?  Will  he  find  a  watery  grave  at  her  side? 
Such  thoughts  as  these  drive  all  desires  for  sleep  from 
his  brain.  The  instruments  record  an  altitude  of  32,000 
feet,  but  the  same  it  has  been  since  a  short  time  after  his 
start.  He  soon  passes  out  and  over  the  sheet  of  water 
and  still  the  car  rushes  on  and  on,  as  if  anxious  to  meet 
its  mate  gone  on  five  years  before.  He  begins  to  calcu- 
late the  rate  at  which  he  is  traveling  and  finds  that  it  is 
not  less  than  200  miles  an  hour,  nearly  four  miles  a 
minute.  What  an  easy  motion.  Not  a  jerk  nor  jar.  It 
does  not  seem  as  though  he  were  moving,  and  were  it  not 
for  the  roaring  of  the  wind  around  him  and  the  awful 
shriek  of  the  pipe  whistle  now  and  then,  he  might  easily 
imagine  he  were  back  in  the  Kansas  sand  hill,  stuck  fast. 
The  ocean's  bosom  shows  no  advance  of  the  car,  just  the 
white  floor  beneath  him  all  the  time.  What  a  way  to 
travel.  No  hot  boxes;  no  bearings  to  oil;  no  axles  to 
break ;  no  bridges  to  wash  away ;  no  collisions ;  but  oh, 
what  the  end  may  be.  Will  he  drop  into  the  sea  or  will 
he  pass  over  it  only  to  sink  low  enough  to  collide  with  a 


120  IT   MIGHT    BE. 

mountain  top?  Or  may  he  not  take  a  sudden  start  off 
for  the  moon  or  Pole  star?  He  has  enough  to  think  about 
and  keep  him  awake  during  the  night.  It  begins  to  grow 
light  in  the  east,  the  stars  soon  fade  away  and  the  sun 
rises.  He  looks  out,  but  can  see  only  a  watery  waste. 
He  eats  his  breakfast,  which  strengthens  him  and  he  feels 
much  better.  It  is  now  nine  o'clock  by  his  watch,  but 
he  can  see  by  the  sun  that  it  is  after  noon  in  that  part  of 
the  world.  In  a  little  more  than  two  hours  thereafter  he 
catches  sight  of  land,  far  ahead,  which  grows  plainer  and 
plainer  until  he  nears  it,  and  soon,  with  a  sigh  of  relief, 
pjjsses  out  and  over  it.  By  examining  his  compass  and 
seeing  that  he  has  been  traveling  a  little  south  of  east,  he 
concludes  that  he  is  now  over  Africa. 

Must  be  that  the  chemicals  will  give  out  soon.  Yet 
his  altitude  is  the  same  and  he  seems  to  be  traveling  at 
the  same  rate.  When  dinner  time  comes,  by  his  watch, 
the  sun  is  beginning  to  sink  behind  the  western  horizon 
in  that  land.  How  strange  it  all  seems.  He  soon  passes 
into  another  night.  He  is  tired  out  and  lies  down  on  the 
floor  of  the  car  and  soon  sinks  into  a  deep  sleep.  On 
and  on  he  sleeps.  The  night  wears  away,  yet  his  watch 
still  shows  that  in  Kansas  it  is  four,  five,  six  and  then 
seven  o'clock.  Still  the  car  rushes  on.  His  watch  shows 
it  to  be  eight  o'clock  Tuesday  evening.  He  started  Mon- 
day morning  at  nine  o'clock.  Looking  out  of  the  door 
as  soon  as  he  awakens,  he  sees  that  the  light  is  just  break- 
ing in  the  east.  It  is  Wednesday  morning  there.  The 
car  does  not  go  as  steady  as  it  did,  but  jerks,  this  way 
then  that.  INIaking  a  light,  he  looks  at  the  instrument 
and  finds  that  he  is  but  1 ,000  feet  high.  The  car  has 
fallen  31,000  feet  while  he  slept.     The  car  jerks  so  that 


IT    MIGHT    BR.  121 

he  can  hardly  keep  his  feet.  The  car  sinks  lower  and 
lower,  and  moves  ahead  much  slower.  He  can  distin- 
guish the  tree  tops  and  see  the  streams  very  plain.  But 
no  cities;  not  a  sign  of  civilization.  Lower  and  lower, 
300  feet  high,  250,  200,  150,  100,  down  and  down;  it 
touches  the  tree  tops,  comes  to  a  broad  river  and  comes 
nearly  sinking  therein,  but  manages  to  cross  and  touches 
on  the  bank  beyond.  It  bumps  along  on  the  ground  for 
a  short  distance,  then  stops  suddenly  up  against  what 
seems  to  be  a  large  rock. 

The  journey  is  over.  Trafford  arises  to  his  feet  and, 
throwing  open  the  door,  steps  out  into  the  twilight  and 
looks  about.  He  is  in  the  center  of  a  small  opening  in 
the  forest.  He  walks  around  the  car,  when,  lo !  do  his 
eyes  deceive  him?  He  steps  forward;  he  touches  it. 
Yes,  it  is  true.  It  is  the  long  lost  car.  His  car  has  found 
its  mate.  He  sinks  on  the  ground  overcome,  and  can 
not  keep  back  the  great  tears,  and  sobs  aloud  as  he  offers 
a  prayer  of  thankfulness  to  his  God  for  this  discovery,  the 
first  sign  or  token  of  the  missing  Neva.  There  are  the 
same  instruments,  only  blackened  and  rusty  with  their 
long  stay  here.  But  now  comes  the  question,  where  is 
Neva?  Following  this  question  in  rapid  succession  come 
others.  What  land  is  this?  Who  lives  here?  If  I  should 
find  Neva,  how  could  I  get  her  out  of  here?  Has  she 
sickened  and  died,  been  devoured  by  wild  beasts,  or  is 
she  well  and  alive? 

He  soon  had  his  pockets  full  of  food,  his  belt  full  of 
cartridges;  his  battery  is  not  forgotten,  for  he  might  find 
her  sick  and  need  it,  and  throwing  his  gun  over  his 
shoulder  he  is  soon  away  into  the  forest.  He  has  traveled 
on  for  perhaps  an  hour,  when  he  comes  to  the  border  of 


122  TT   MIGHT   BK. 

an  open  space  of  ground,  where  the  grass  and  weeds  do 
not  grow.  In  looking  to  the  ground  he  now  sees  innumera- 
ble foot  prints  and  concludes  that  this  is  the  council  place 
of  a  tribe  of  wild  people.  Soon,  from  across  the  opening 
'from  the  forest  beyond,  comes  the  sound  of  voices.  He 
steps  back  into  the  underbrush  and  crouches  down  out  of 
sight  to  await  developments.  He  has  not  long  to  wait. 
He  wonders,  will  these  people  know  anything  of  the  long 
lost  Neva? 

From  the  forest  on  the  opposite  side  emerges  a  black 
man,  a  giant  he  is,  too,  over  six  feet  tall  and  weighing 
fully  250 pounds.  He  is  followed  by  another  and  another; 
yes,  a  vast  number  of  them.  They  file  in  in  single  file 
and  form  a  large  circle  in  the  open  inclosure.  A  motion 
from  the  leader  and  they  all  seat  themselves  on  the 
ground.  After  sitting  there  and  chattering  awhile,  the 
leader  arises  and  waves  his  hand,  when  they  all  arise  and 
an  opening  in  the  circle  is  made  on  the  side  they  came  in 
on,  through  which  comes  a  much  larger  man  than  the 
first  leader,  but  dressed  in  the  most  gorgeous  style.  There 
hang  from  belts  about  his  waist  and  neck  shining  pearls, 
and  here  and  there  a  long  piece  of  ivory.  A  sort  of  a 
crown  is  upon  his  head,  and  large  rings  are  in  his  nose 
and  ears.  He  is  followed  by  half  a  dozen  other  men,  but 
not  so  finely  dressed,  although  much  better  than  the  first 
ones  who  came  in.  After  this  company  comes  two  large 
men,  who  carry  long  spears;  these  are  followed  by  some 
people  which,  from  the  difference  in  the  dress,  Trafford 
takes  to  be  women — some  large  and  some  small.  They 
file  within  the  inclosure  and  take  seats  to  one  side  on  a 
sort  of  a  mound  built  there.  The  big,  gorgeously  dressed 
fellow  has  a  stump  to  sit  upon,  and  by  his  side  stands  a 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  123 

woman.  She  is  dressed  in  a  garment  of  some  woven 
native  plant  and  a  kind  of  a  veil  is  over  her  face. 

The  two  large  men  who  entered  carrying  spears  now 
step  to  the  center  of  the  ring. 

The  big  man,  the  king,  arises  and  speaks  to  them, 
but  Trafford  does  not  understand  what  he  says.  While 
he  speaks,  he  lifts  the  woman,  who  had  been  standing 
at  his  side,  to  the  stump,  and  often  during  his  talk  points 
to  her,  then  smoothes  down  her  long  black  hair,  proba- 
bly praising  her  good  looks.  She  steps  down  at  his  side, 
he  ceases  speaking  and  takes  his  seat,  and  the  two  men 
in  the  center  of  the  ring  rush  at  each  other. 

This  is  a  queer  but  interesting  scene  to  Trafford. 
What  can  he  do  but  sit  and  watch  them  from  his  hiding 
place.  The  combatants  roll  over  on  the  ground ;  they  pound 
each  other,  bite,  scratch  and  use  all  other  methods  of 
warfare  they  can  think  of.  Not  a  word  is  heard  from 
either  of  them,  save  now  and  then  a  groan  as  one  or  the 
other  is  knocked  down.  Neither  does  the  crowd  move  or 
speak.  Silent  witnesses  of  the  fight.  Each  man  is 
covered  with  blood,  but  they  battle  on,  until  Trafford 
wonders  if  it  will  never  quit.  By  and  by,  one  man  falls 
and  can  not  get  up.  The  other  jumps  upon  his  fallen  foe, 
and  with  kicks  and  IjIows  soon  has  him  pounded  into 
insensibility,  whereupon  he  takes  up  one  of  the  spears 
near  at  hand  and  plunges  it  into  the  breast  of  his  fallen 
antagonist  again  and  again.  The  battle  is  over.  The 
conqueror  turns  and  walks  toward  the  king  with  one 
bleeding  arm  and  hand  uplifted  and  speaks  a  few  words. 

The  king  arises  and  has  spoken  but  a  few  words,  when 
he  turns  to  the  woman  at  his  side  and  addresses  her,  at 
the  same  time  pushing  her  toward  the  conqueror. 


124  IT    MIGHT    BR. 

She  takes  a  few  steps  and  then  stops,  and  Trafford 
sees  her  lift  her  hands  toward  heaven,  her  eyes  seem  to 
be  piercing  the  distant  blue  sky,  and  these  words  fall  upon 
the  ears  of  the  startled  Trafford : 

"  Oh,  my  God,  has  it  come  to  this,  to  be  the  wife  of 
this  wretch?  Have  I  not  prayed  and  agonized  for  deliver- 
ance these  long  years?  Where,  oh,  where  is  my  Trafford? 
Will  he  never  come  to  my  rescue?  I  would  that  I  might 
die,  oh,  precious  Savior,  rather  than  this  disgrace." 

Trafford  sits  for  a  moment  as  one  stupefied,  but  only 
for  a  moment.  See  what  a  change  in  that  man  in  the 
bushes.  The  color  has  all  left  his  face ;  he  clutches  the 
barrel  of  his  repeating  rifle,  trembles  for  a  moment,  then 
his  sinews  become  hardened.  He  arises,  and  with  a 
mighty  bound  leaps  from  the  hiding  place,  as  a  lion  would 
leap  in  his  strength,  and  forward  he  bounds. 

There  is  a  commotion  in  the  camp ;  all  have  arisen  to 
their  feet,  as  they  hear  a  shout,  and  then  these  words, 
understood  very  well  by  the  lady,  ring  out  clear  and  firm : 

"  I  have  come,    0  my  darling.     I  will  save  you." 

In  a  moment  she  is  in  his  arms.  He  has  torn  the  veil 
from  her  face,  and  as  the  great  tears  chase  each  other 
down  her  face,  he  kisses  them  away.  It  is  some  time 
before  either  can  speak,  and  the  natives  look  on  in  won- 
derment, but  only  for  a  short  time.  The  man  who  lately 
conquered  in  the  fight  seems  to  understand  that  some- 
thing is  wrong,  and  with  a  grunt  of  dissatisfaction  he 
starts  forward  to  regain  his  lost  i)rize.  Trafford  raises  his 
hand  as  a  sign  to  stop,  when  the  king  turns  to  Neva  and 
asks  for  an  explanation  of  this  intrusion.  She  asks  him 
for  a  few  moments'  time  to  converse  with  this,  to  the 
natives,  strange  being.     In  a  few  words  she  told  him  that 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  125 

the  fighters  each  wished  to  marry  her  and  that  they  had 
met  in  their  usual  custom  to  settle  such  disputes,  and 
that  she  was  now  claimed  by  the  conqueror  as  his  wife. 

Trafford  asked  her  to  tell  them  that  he  had  come  to 
deliver  her,  and  that  she  was  to  be  his  wife,  and  that  they 
must  not  try  to  hinder  him. 

She  turned  to  the  king  with  the  explanation,  but  the 
natives  were  not  satisfied  therewith,  and  did  not  think  that 
one  man,  and  he  smaller  than  any  of  them,  could  run  off 
with  such  a  prize  as  she  was. 

She  then  told  them,  as  Trafford  suggested,  that  he  did 
not  wish  to  harm  them,  but  that  he  would  show  them 
what  he  could  do  if  they  did  not  behave. 

They  wished  to  see  him  try  his  power,  thinking  that 
they  were  to  see  another  fight  with  the  big  black. 

Neva  told  them,  for  Trafford,  that  he  would  show  them 
all  at  once,  and  asked  them  to  form  in  their  circle  again 
and  this  time  take  hold  of  hands.     This  they  quickly  did. 

Trafford  was  not  long  in  adjusting  the  battery  and 
arranging  the  poles.  He  then  stepped  up  to  the  king  and 
offered  his  hand,  which  the  king  took  just  as  Neva  com- 
pleted the  circuit  by  taking  a  black  hand  at  her  side.  In 
an  instant  a  cry  of  horror  went  up  from  the  whole  circle 
as  they  felt  the  electric  current  flash  through  their  beings. 
They  were  frightened.  Trafford  had  noticed  a  number  of 
birds  flying  about  over  their  heads  and,  to  complete  the 
frightening  jjrocess,  he  dropped  the  king's  hand  and, 
picking  up  his  gun,  discharged  it  at  the  bird,  which  imme- 
diately fell  to  the  ground,  dead. 

This  was  too  much  for  this  superstitious  people,  and 
with  one  accord,  and  with  a  mighty  noise,  they  scampered 
away  into  the  forest,  leaving  our  friends  alone. 


126  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

Trafford  picked  up  his  tilings  and,  with  his  arm  around 
the  little  woman  he  came  to  find,  they  started  off  in  the 
direction  of  the  cars.  Neva  was  too  overjoyed  to  talk 
much  or  even  think  as  they  hurried  along  toward  the 
cars.  She  had  not  even  asked  about  home  and  how  he 
found  her  and  the  thousand  other  things  she  soon  there- 
after wanted  to  know.  The  trip  back  to  the  car  was  made 
in  half  the  time  Trafford  used  in  going.  After  they  had 
reached  the  car,  explanations  began,  first  on  one  side  and 
then  on  the  other,  until  the  sun  was  far  past  the  meridian, 
when  Trafford  began  to  think  of  eating,  when  he  said : 

"  Well,  Neva,  have  you  forgotten  how  to  prepare  ameal 
by  this  time?  You  will  find  something  for  dinner  in  the  car 
there.  By  the  way,  there  are  some  packages  in  there  your 
mother  put  in,  saying  that  you  might  need  them  if  I  ever 
found  you.  While  you  are  at  work  there  I  will  recharge  the 
batteries  out  here,  that  we  may  be  able  to  return  soon." 

In  the  package  Neva  found  different  dressing  material 
than  any  she  had  worn  for  over  four  years,  which,  when 
put  on,  changed  her  appearance  to  quite  a  perceptible 
degree,  and  caused  Trafford  to  say : 

"  It  made  her  look  like  the  Neva  Tyrole  he  used  to 
know  and  expected  to  make  his  wife  at  no  distant  day." 

To  which  she  responded : 

"  I  wish  you  had  made  me  your  wife  and  kept  me  at 
home  five  years  ago." 

While  they  were  eating,  the  subject  of  their  return 
trip  came  up.  Whether  the  car  will  go  beyond  its  pres- 
ent limits  or  not  they  do  not  know.  They  may  have  to 
walk  the  thousand  miles  or  more  from  this,  the  heart  of 
Africa,  to  the  coast.  But  they  are  going  to  try  the 
machine  and  trust  to  Providence  again  that  afternoon. 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  127 

Arrangements  are  all  made.  They  are  sitting  just 
outside  the  door,  eating  their  dinner,  when  they  hear  a 
sound  in  the  forest  before  them,  and  Neva  says : 

"  I  believe  those  savages  are  coming  after  us." 

She  had  said  no  more  when  out  of  the  woods  came  a 
fine  looking  black  man.  Neva  instantly  recognized  him 
as  the  real  king  of  the  tribe  she  had  been  with  these  five 
years.  The  fight  that  had  come  off  that  day  and  the  king 
and  the  people  thatTrafford  had  seen,  were  of  a  neighbor- 
ing and  warlike  tribe,  which  had  a  few  days  ago  conquered 
those  with  whom  she  stayed,  and  as  she  was  captured 
with  them  too,  she  was  offered  as  a  prize  by  the  old  king  to 
the  best  man  he  had  for  a  wife,  and  this  man  who  now  came 
out  of  the  forest  toward  them  was  tlie  rightful  king  and 
friendly  toward  her,  and  had  now  escaped  and  come  to  tell 
her  that  the  fierce  savages  were  on  the  way  to  recapture 
her  and  kill  Trafford.  He  also  asked  to  be  taken  along 
with  them  to  her  country,  that  he  might  learn  the  customs 
she  had  taught  him  so  much  about,  and  thus  might  he 
be  able  to  lead  his  people  into  a  better  way  of  living. 
They  consented,  and  he  was  taken  in  the  car  with  them 
and  the  batteries  set  to  work.  In  a  very  short  time  they 
can  hear  the  shouts  of  the  enraged  savages  as  they  come 
on.  Soon  out  of  the  woods  they  come,  200  strong,  armed 
with  clubs,  spears  and  stone  axes. 

They  make  direct  for  the  car,  yelling  at  the  top  of  their 
voices.  Trafford  grasps  the  rifle  and  awaits  their  coming. 
The  principal  thing  that  he  first  fears  is  that  they  will  break 
some  of  the  machinery  and  thus  disable  the  car ;  then  they 
will  fall  an  easy  prey  to  that  vast  hordeof  savage  men. 

What  close  quarters  they  are  in.  Do  not  even  know 
that  the  car  would  ever  start,  even  if  the  savages  did  leave 


128  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

it  alone.  Had  Neva  only  been  found  to  be  lost  again, 
and  Trafford  with  her,  too?  No.  He  came  to  save,  and 
save  he  would. 

Neva  picks  up  a  large  knife  and  steps  up  to  the  car 
door  at  his  side.  They  are  ready  to  fight  for  their  lives. 
The  black  king  stands  ready  to  use  a  rod  of  iron  he  has 
found  in  the  bottom  of  the  car. 

On  they  come,  with  their  big  king  in  the  advance, 
yelling  to  Neva,  in  the  language  she  knows  so  well,  that 
they  are  going  to  kill  them,  and  ordering  them  to  come 
out  of  their  retreat.  They  are  only  twenty  yards  away  ; 
now  fifteen.  Trafford  raises  his  rifle,  aims  at  the  king's 
thigh,  and  pulls  the  trigger. 

The  old  king  leaps  high  in  the  air  and  yells  so  loud 
that  he  drowns  the  report  of  the  rifle,  and  falls  to  the 
ground.  The  braves  rush  up  to  the  king's  side  and 
examine  the  wound  in  his  leg,  and  then,  gnashing  their 
teeth  in  increased  rage,  they  rush  toward  the  car. 

*'  How's  the  gauge,  Neva?  I  don't  want  to  kill  any 
of  them  unless  I  have  to." 

She  answers  that  it  is  within  a  few  notches  of  the 
required  amount.  He  awaits  their  approach.  What  a 
dreadful  array  of  humanity  they  are  as  they  approach,  the 
whites  of  their  eyes  looking  like  so  many  stars  or  moons 
in  the  night;  their  mouths  wide  open,  yelling  as  loud  as 
they  can;  brandishing  clubs  and  spears;  they  approach 
the  car,  only  a  few  feet  away.  Trafford  is  about  to  send 
the  leaden  bullet  home  to  one  great  savage's  heart,  when 
the  wished  for,  anxiously  awaited  event  happens. 

It  comes.  The  flash  descends ;  the  woods  resound  to 
the  echoes  of  the  thunder's  roar,  and  Neva,  Trafford  and 
the  black  are  jerked  to  the   floor,  as  the   car  suddenly 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  129 

leaps  upward.  Up  and  up  they  go.  The  crowd  of  blacks 
are  but  spots  below  and  soon  have  faded  out  of  sight ;  and 
away  they  go,  the  sun  to  their  backs,  out  over  forest,  lake 
and  mountain. 


130  IT  MIGHT  BE. 


CHAPTER   X. 

"  'Tis  not  in  mortals  to  command  success, 
But  we'll  do  more,  Sempronius;  we'll  deserve  it." 

— Addison. 

According  to  Trafford's  reckoning  and  the  setting  sun, 
it  must  bo  Wednesday  evening,  but  his  watch  shows  it  to 
to  be  a  morning  hour. 

Though  there  is  much  they  might  be  troubled  about, 
where  they  are  going,  where  they  should  land,  etc.,  yet 
they  forget  all  this  uncertainty  in  the  joy  of  having  met 
again.  The  car  hurries  on  through  space  at  a  frightful 
velocity.  The  stars  twinkle  their  tiny  light  down 
through  the  top  of  the  car.  The  roar  continues,  now  and 
then  punctured  by  the  awful  shriek  of  the  whistle  at  the  top. 

Along  in  the  latter  part  of  tlie  night  they  pass  out 
over  an  ocean.  It  is  the  Indian  ocean.  There  is  no 
change  in  the  speed  of  the  car,  nor  of  its  altitude. 
Thursday  morning  soon  dawns  on  them,  but  they  continue 
to  travel  on  during  the  day.  Many  questions  Neva  and 
the  black  king  have  to  ask  Trafford.  The  king,  who  had 
been  taught  our  language  by  Neva,  was  interested  in 
hearing  Trafford  tell  of  the  wonderful  country  he  lived  in. 
His  name  was,  as  near  as  it  can  be  pronounced  in  our 
tongue,  Seoto.  Along  towards  night  they  catch  a  glimpse 
of  land  far  ahead,  which  they  conclude  is  Australia,  but 
no  stop  here.  On  and  on  the  car  takes  them.  Out  and 
out  for  over  six  hours  across  the  plains  of  Australia,  by 
and  by  to  .pass  put  ancl  over  the  greatest  of  waters— the 
PacifiQ  Qce^n, 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  131 

Hour  after  hour  they  spend,  Trafford  in  Hstening  and 
Neva  in  telling  of  the  events  of  her  stay  among  the 
blacks.     She  says: 

"  Those  blacks  who  were  seen  by  you,  and  who  would 
have  killed  us,  were  a  neighboring  tribe  to  the  one  I  lived 
with.-  They  have  given  our  tribe  much  trouble  ever  since 
I  lived  there,  and  a  few  days  ago  they  again  invaded  our 
city  and  defeated  our  blacks,  and  have  them  prisoners 
now.  Those  two  blacks  who  were  fighting  over  me  I 
never  saw  before  that  day.  As  soon  as  the.fight  was  on 
between  the  two  tribes,  when  the  city  was  invaded,  I  was 
found  by  the  strange  king  and  was  offered  by  him  as  a 
wife  to  the  black  who  should  succeed  in  capturing  our 
king,  the  man  here  with  us  now.  Those  two  men  caught 
him  together,  and  were  deciding  which  should  have  me 
by  that  brutal  fight.  The  tribe  I  lived  with  was  just  as 
warlike. when  I  landed  there,  but  they  thought  I  was 
some  great  god,  and  for  a  long  time,  while  I  was  learning 
their  language,  they  worshiped  me,  and  I  had  no  way  of 
teaching  them  better  until  I  was  able  to  talk  to  them, 
after  which  they  seemed  to  think  that  I  was  of  some 
higher  order  of  beings  than  they  were,  and  would  always 
do  as  I  wished  about  everything.  I  settled  all  their 
disputes,  and  after  awhile  got  them  to  understand  our 
religion,  and  to  worship  the  great  God,  who  led  you  to 
try  that  plan  of  finding  me,  just  at  the  right  time  and 
when  I  had  done  all  I  could  to  advance  them  any  higher, 
without  following  some  such  plan  as  we  are  now  on,  that 
of  taking  their  king  to  our  own  country  to  see  and  know 
of  our  better  ways,  that  he  may  go  back  and  then  lead 
his  people  up  to  the  standard  that  they  ought  to  occupy. 
If  you  get  this  machine  so  that  you  can.  manage  it,  I 


132  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

would  like  to  go  back  there  some  day,  and  see  that 
simple  people  again,  and  once  more  lead  their  meetings 
in  the  worship  of  the  only  true  God,  although  they  will 
get  along  very  well  if  their  enemies  leave  them  alone. 
Don't  you  think,  Trafford,  that  we  could  go  some  day?  " 

"  It  might  be,"  he  answered. 

We  will  leave  this  happy  couple  and  their  dark  com- 
panion, for  they  are  flying  on  through  space  too  fast  for 
us,  and  in  the  parting  glance  we  take  they  are  seen  seated 
on  the  bottojn  of  the  car,  pleasantly  talking.  The  instru- 
ments show  an  altitude  of  32,000  feet,  and  the  speed  is 
not  less  than  two  hundred  miles  an  hour. 

What  a  strange  sight  that  car  is,  as  it  rushes  on  and 
on  over  miles  and  miles  of  watery  waste,  turning  neither 
to  the  right  nor  the  left,  but  on  and  on  in* a  straight  line, 
as  if  hurled  out  of  the  hand  of  some  great  and  awful 
power,  over  mountain,  land  and  sea. 

The  moon  and  the  stars  shine  down  upon  it  by  night, 
and  the  sun's  rays  seem  to  hurry  along  to  catch  up  with 
it  by  day.  Great  steamers  look  like  a  drifting  spar  upon 
the  bosom  of  the  placid  Pacific ;  and  from  their  height 
they  can  not  see  the  rise  and  fall  of  the  mighty  waves, 
nor  catch  a  glimpse  of  their  foamy  tops.  To  them  the 
great  floor  is  all  one  level,  glassy  plain.  They  are  out  of 
sight;  a  great  cloud  has  passed  in  between  them  and  us, 
and  shut  off  our  vision,  but  we  look  to  another  scene. 

Two  men  are  sitting  quietly  at  their  work,  looking 
through  their  telescopes  at  the  great  Lick  observatory,  on 
Mt.  Hamilton,  California.  One  is  looking  at  the  sun, 
now  nearly  down  into  the  western  sea.  He  has  been 
studying  it  for  a  long  time,  when  he  suddenly  stops  and 
turns  to  his  companion,  exclaiming; 


IT   MIGHT    BE.  133 

"  Allerton's  got  back.  I  just  saw  his  car  coming 
as  it  passed  between  my  glass  and  the  sun." 

''  Are  you  sure  ?  "  was  his  companion's  answer. 

"  Yes,  I  am  certain,"  he  answered,  as  he  turned  to  the 
telephone  and  rung  up  San  Jose,  and  excitedly  spoke 
into  the  machine,  without  waiting  for  an  answering  ring: 
"Allerton's  machine  is  coming.  Blow  the  whistles  and 
call  him  down." 

And  it  is  not  long  until  the  greatest  noise  went  up  from 
San  Jose  that  they  ever  before  produced.  Bells  rung, 
whistles  blew,  sky  rockets  went  up,  people  yelled  and 
a  perfect  roar  went  up  to  meet  the  coming  couple. 

The  cloud  has  passed  away,  and  we  see  into  the  car 
again. 

"Gome,  Neva,  I  see  land,"  said  Trafford,  as  he 
turned  toward  her  from  the  door,  out  of  which  he  had 
been  looking. 

"  Yes;  and  that  must  be  the  Union,  our  home.  How 
glad  I  am,"  she  said.  "  What  are  they  doing  down  at 
that  city,  Trafford  ?     I  see  lights  in  the  air." 

"  I  don't  know,  but  I  expect  they  have  seen  us.  You 
know  there  is  an  observatory  near  San  Jose,  and  I  expect 
they  have  seen  us,  and  are  trying  to  attract  our  attention 
and  call  us  down." 

"  Let's  go  down  and  see,"  she  replied. 

"  All  right.  We  might  try  our  machine  here  as  well 
as  anywhere;"  and  he  turned  the  crank  and  shut  off  part 
of  the  current,  when  instantly  the  speed  began  to  slacken 
and  the  machine  to  sink. 

When  the  machine  had  sufficiently  slowed  up,  and 
while  steadily  sinking,  they  opened  the  door  and  looked 
( >ut.  What  a  beautiful  scene  lay  spread  out  before  their  gaze ! 


134  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

There,  eight  miles  to  the  north,  lay  the  calm,  placid 
bosom  of  San  Francisco  bay.  Yonder,  to  the  northwest 
forty  miles,  they  could  see  the  spires  of  San  Francisco. 
What  a  beautiful  valley,  the  Santa  Clara!  There,  twelve 
miles  from  the  city,  is  Mt.  Hamilton,  so  plainly  seen, 
rearing  its  head  far  above  the  valley  below.  Yonder  can 
be  seen  the  beautiful  park  in  the  Penitencia  Canon,  seven 
miles  east.  There  is  the  Methodist  University  of  the 
Pacific,  here  the  State  Normal  School.  How  quiet  and 
beautiful  they  lay,  and  how  majestically  flow  the  winding 
streams  of  the  Coyote  and  Guadalupe,  each  side  of  the 
city.  Seemingly  fit  landing  place  for  an  angel  fresh 
from  heaven. 

Slowly  they  near  the  ground ;  lower  and  lower  the  car 
sinks,  and  then,  squeezing  its  way  down  between  the 
large  limbs  of  a  number  of  fruit  trees  in  an  orchard,  it 
sinks  easily  to  the  ground,  and  a  safe  landing  is  made. 
The  glass  door  is  opened,  and  the  three  have  stepped  out 
from  the  car  to  the  ground  before  any  one  readies  them. 
A  great  crowd  soon  gathers  around  the  three,  and  many 
are  the  warm  congratulations  offered  them  on  their  safe 
return.  Every  one  expected  their  early  return,  and  they 
all  "told  you  so."  The  chief  of  the  western  fruit 
bureau,  the  highest  official  in  town  and  on  an  equality 
with  Trafford  officially,  soon  arrives  in  liis  electric  car- 
riage and  they  are  taken  to  his  beautiful  home. 

The  news  of  their  arrival  has  traveled  the  length  and 
breadth  of  the  land  in  a  very  few  moments.  Everybody 
soon  learns  of  the  safe  arrival.  They  have  hardly  been 
seated  in  the  pleasant  home  of  the  chief,  when  a  mes- 
senger places  in  Neva's  hands  a  message.  It  was  dated 
at  Los  Angeles,  California,    five   minutes   before   being 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  135 

delivered.  It  is  from  Neva's  mother,  and  says  that  the 
four  parents  will  leave  at  once  for  San  Jose.  Upon 
inquiry  of  the  chief,  they  are  informed  that  Neva  and 
Trafford's  parents  came  out  to  California  to  spend  a  vaca- 
tion, thinking  it  would  be  a  change  of  scene  and  might 
cause  them  to  cheer  up,  and  that  they  arrived  in  Los 
Angeles  yesterday. 

"And  how  long  will  it  take  them  to  reach  here?" 
asked  Neva,  to  whom  the  methods  of  travel  in  use  here 
now  are  unknown. 

"  About  two  hours,"  was  the  reply. 

By  the  time  they  have  rested  somewhat  they  are  led 
out  to  supper. 

A  messenger  announces  the  presence  of  the  agent  of 
the  news  board,  who  simply  asks  our  friends  to  name  an 
hour  when  he  can  take  their  story  of  the  journey,  request- 
ing that,  if  possible,  it  may  be  in  a  very  short  time. 
Trafford  sends  out  word  that  they  will  be  ready  in  half 
an  hour.  They  are  hardly  through  with  their  supper 
when  the  agent  returns,  and  they  step  back  into  the 
parlor,  where  is  adjusted  a  funnel  to  a  telephone  box. 
They  are  seated,  when  the  agent  asks  Neva  to  give  them 
as  complete  an  account  of  her  absence  as  she  has  time. 
She  hesitates  for  a  moment,  when  Trafford  tells  her  she 
need  not  wait  for  the  agent  to  get  paper  and  pencil,  but 
that  if  she  will  go  ahead  that  the  telephone  will  catch 
every  syllable  she  utters,  and  instantly  record  it  in  every 
city  in  the  Union  that  has  a  newspaper.  How  strange  it  all 
seems  to  her!  The  sun  has  sunk  far  below  the  horizon; 
there  are  no  lights  to  be  seen  in  the  room,  and  yet  it  is  as 
light  as  day,  the  light  being  exactly  like  the  light  of  day. 
Sitting  where  she  is,  she  begins  with  her   strange  story 


136  IT    MIGHT   RE. 

and,  hurrying  through,  has  given  a  })artial  history  thereof 
in  half  an  liour. 

Trafford  is  then  asked  to  tell  of  his  experiences  in  the 
past  week,  which  he  does,  finishing  in  about  the  same 
length  of  time  that  Neva  had  used.  Thanking  them,  the 
news  agent  then  withdrew.  Thus  is  the  story  of  their 
wanderings,  not  over  two  hours  after  their  arrival,  placed 
in  printed  form  into  the  hands  of  millions  of  people  all 
over  the  Union.  Yes,  it  has  soon  crossed  the  Atlantic, 
and  is  read  by  hosts  of  interested  readers  over  there. 

There  is  a  sound  on  the  porch,  the  door  opens,  and  in 
step  the  four  parents.  Kisses,  embraces  and  sobs  of  joy 
are  the  order  for  the  next  few  minutes.  The  man  whose 
hospitality  they  are  enjoying,  with  his  family,  pass  out 
into  the  adjoining  room,  and  the  half  dozen  people  in  the 
room  have  a  happy  meeting.  Again  and  again  Mother 
Tyrole  insists  on  kissing  her  daughter,  as  they  talk  over 
the  events  of  the  past.  It  is  far  into  the  night  before 
they  retire;  but  just  before  they  go  to  their  sleeping 
apartments,  their  host  places  in  their  hands  a  large 
number  of  telegrams  of  congratulation.  They  come  from 
the  president  of  the  nation,  who  happened  to  be  in 
Chicago,  and  said  that  he  would  be  with  them  in  the 
morning;  from  the  heads  of  all  the  departments  of 
government,  the  chiefs  of  Agriculture,  Mining,  Finance, 
Medicine,  Commerce,  Printing,  Lumber,  Cotton,  and  all 
the  other  depariments,  as  well  as  from  England's  presi- 
dent, for  the  government  there  had  been  changed  to  a 
republic  by  the  peaceful  ballots  of  the  people ;  also  from 
the  heads  of  all  other  civilized  nations,  and  many  of  the 
leading  men  of  the  land  who  were  not  in  official  posi- 
tions. 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  137 

The  morning  finds  them  refreshed  and  ready  for  the 
great  reception,  arranged  for  them  by  the  people  during 
the  night,  the  news  of  which  and  the  invitations  thereto 
had  been  sent  to  evBry  town  and  city  in  the  land. 

The  president  has  arrived  and,  with  the  other  heads 
of  the  government,  has  called  upon  the  returned  pair. 
Thousands  of  people  pour  into  the  city  from  all  over  the 
land.  Among  the  distinguished  men  who  have  arrived 
and  called  on  them  we  must  not  fail  to  name,  are  Rev. 
Elverton,  the  chief  of  the  Department  of  Eeligion,  and 
Dr.  Ruttlidge,  the  head  of  the  Department  of  Medicine. 

The  reception  has  been  arranged  to  take  place  in 
the  beautiful  four-hundred-acre  park  in  the  Penitencia 
Canon,  seven  miles  east  of  the  city,  at  ten  o'clock. 

An  electric  carriage  is  sent  up  for  our  friends  and 
'  their  parents,  and  they  are  soon  on  the  way  to  the  park, 
down  the  broad  avenues  and  past  the  many  fine  residences 
and  great  orchards. 

One  of  the  first  things  that  Neva  notices  is  the  rail- 
ways. When  she  left  on  her  great  trip  to  Africa,  the 
iron  horse  traveled  over  the  plains  and  mountains  from 
city  to  city,  upon  rails  secured  to  ties,  which  were  placed 
upon  the  gi'ound.  There  has  been  a  change,  and  she 
does  not  understand  it  and  asks  an  explanation. 

Trafford  answers  her  question :  ' '  You  see  that  the 
rails  are  suspended  upon  those  iron  poles  there.  See 
that  car  there?  "  She  turned  in  the  direction  indicated 
and  there  saw  the  car.  It  was  built  much  in  the  shape 
of  an  immense  egg,  tapering  to  a  point  at  each  end,  and 
about  eight  feet  in  diameter  in  the  center.  The  carriage 
they  are  riding  in  is  stopped,  and  they  get  out  and  step 
up  a  few  steps  and  enter  the  car.     In  the  central  portion 


138  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

thereof  are  a  number  of  reclining  chairs ,  about  a  dozen  in  this 
car.  The  sides  of  the  car  are  of  thick  ghiss.  The  floor  and 
about  five  feet  of  each  side  and  the  top  thereof  are  of  steel. 

In  each  end  of  the  car  are  rooms,  the  ceiling  of  which 
is  not  as  high  as  that  of  the  central  or  sitting  room,  and 
lowers  down  with  the  shape  of  the  car.  In  these  rooms, 
Trafford  explains,  are  carried  the  baggage  and  such  other 
things  as  one  would  wish  to  carry.  When  people  are 
traveling  on  a  long  journey,  and  expeci  to  be  away  over 
night,  they  put  up  a  bed  in  one  of  the  rooms,  where 
they  can  sleep  just  as  comfortably  as  in  their  beds  at 
home. 

They  then  stepped  out  of  the  car,  and  she  noticed 
that  it  hung  from  the  rail  above  by  two  arms,  which  were 
fastened  to  each  end  of  the  car,  and  were  arranged  to  run 
along  on  the  rail.  "But  why  these  two  tracks?"  she 
asked,  and  was  told  that  one  rail  was  for  travel  in  one 
direction  and  the  other  in  the  other  direction,  thus  they 
never  had  such  a  thing  as  a  collision.  The  electric  safety 
contrivance  was  so  arranged  that  one  car  going  very  fast 
would  never  run  into  one  going  slower,  for  whenever  they 
came  just  a  certain  distance  apart,  the  valves  would 
equalize  the  amount  of  electricity  used  by  each  car,  and 
would  at  the  first  switch,  which  were  arranged  along  the 
track  all  the  way  from  a  few  yards  to  a  few  miles  accord- 
ing to  the  amount  of  travel  thereon,  move  the'  slow  car 
ahead  on  to  the  switch,  and  release  the  faster  to  go  on  at  the 
desired  speed.  When  she  asked  the  speed  of  the  cars, 
she  was  told  that  it  was  at  any  speed  the  traveler  wished 
up  to  two  hundred  miles  an  hour,  but  that  no  cars  they 
had  been  able  to  make  up  to  the  present  time  would 
exceed  the  speed  of  two  hundred  miles  an  hour. 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  139 

"And  what  is  that  there?"  she  asked,  pointing  to 
a  track  where  hundreds  of  cars  were  hanging  close 
together. 

"  That  is  the  switch,  and  those  cars  are  the  ones  this 
vast  crowd  came  in  on.  They  are  just  switched  off  there 
awaiting  their  return." 

"And  where  are  the  telegraph  poles?"  she  asked. 

She  was  informed  that  there  were  no  telegraph  poles, 
but  that  the  rails  of  the  railroad  acted  as  the  wires  used 
to.  They  can  be  so  arranged  that  every  office  in  the 
Union  will  catch  the  sound  simultaneously,  or  it  can  be 
changed  in  a  moment's  time,  so  that  but  two  offices  will 
receive  the  desired  information. 

"  And  is  that  the  way  you  do  your  corresponding 
now?  "  was  her  next  question. 

"  Yes,  the  most  of  it.  Sometimes  the  message  is 
delivered  by  a  messenger,  as  it  was  to  us  last  night,  else 
we  would  have  been  kept  at  the  telephone  half  of  the 
night.  Each  home  is  suijplied  with  a  connection  to  the 
rail,  whether  it  be  in  country  or  city,  unless — as  in  a  few 
isolated  cases — they  are  too  far  off  from  the  track,  living 
in  some  barren  part  of  the  country  where  no  road  has  yet 
been  built.  These  lines  are  the  best  transmitters  of  a 
message  ever  known.  They  contain  such  an  amount  of 
electricity  that  the  current  will  flash  the  message  all  over 
the  land,  without  being  sent  and  resent  at  each  division, 
as  in  former  days.  If  you  wished  to  speak  with  a  friend 
in  Ohio,  you  would  call  for  the  central  station  of  the  State 
you  were  in;  they  would  connect  you  with  Ohio's  central 
station,  and  they,  when  called,  would  connect  through  the 
county  central  station  with  the  friend's  home  to  whom 
you  wished  to  talk,  and  you  could  talk  as  long  as  you 


140  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

pleased.  The  connections  could  be  made  in  a  few 
moments,  and  as  your  talking  would  hinder  the  use  of 
the  rail  for  no  one  else,  you  could  talk  on  until  you 
wished  to  stop." 

They  soon  reached  the  park,  and  such  a  throng  of 
people !  They  are  warmly  greeted  by  all  who  can  get 
near  enough  to  speak  their  greetings  and  grasp  their 
hands. 

The  program  soon  begins,  and  a  good  many  short,  live 
speeches  are  made,  songs  are  sung,  all  have  a  good  time, 
and  when  the  dinner  hour  arrives,  a  table  half  way  across 
the  park  is  spread,  and  thousands  enjoy  eating  at  the 
biggest  picnic  table  ever  spread  anywhere. 

While  they  are  eating  dinner,  the  president  turns 
to  Neva  and  says  : 

"  We  start  to-morrow  on  our  yearly  inspection  tour 
of  the  different  branches  of  the  government,  and  would 
be  pleased  if  yourself  and  Mr.  Allerton  would  accom- 
pany us." 

"I  should  certainly  be  very  glad  to,  wouldn't  you, 
Trafford?" 

"  Certainly.  Who  could  refuse  such  company  and 
such  a  trip  ?  " 

So  it  is  arranged  that  they  are  to  start  the  next  morn- 
ing at  ten  o'clock  for  Denver,  to  inspect  the  workings  of 
the  mining  bureau  as  it  affects  the  silver  interest  there. 

After  the  reception  is  over  that  afternoon,  they  take  a 
run  up  to  San  Francisco,  forty  miles  distant,  and  view 
the  beach  and  the  many  other  interesting  scenes  there, 
returning  to  San  Jose  by  dark. 

They  remain  at  the  same  home  that  they  did  the 
night  before. 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  141 

After  it  becomes  dark  out  of  doors,  and  Neva  notices 
no  change  of  the  light  in  the  house,  she  ask&  what 
makes  the  light  remain  in  the  room  just  as  though  it  were 
yet  day. 

She  is  informed  that  the  walls  are  coated  with  a  sub- 
stance (which  she  had  thought  was  wall  paper)  that 
absorbed  the  light  during  the  day  time,  and  that  at  night 
it  was  given  off  so  that  they  had  perpetual  day  in  their 
homes,  and  at  no  cost  except  the  cost  of  putting  on  the 
coating  once  every  year  or  two,  which  was  not  more  than 
it  used  to  cost  to  paper  a  house. 

During  the  evening,  a  car  containing  half  a  dozen  men, 
who  belonged  to  the  bureau  of  electricity,  arrived  and 
called  upon  Trafford,  their  chief.  A  consultation  was 
held,  lasting  until  midnight.  The  subject  under  con- 
sideration was  the  problem  of  travel,  such  as  Trafford  and 
Neva  had  tried  upon  their  long  trip  and  proved  so 
successful.  The  result  of  the  consultation  was  that  they 
came  to  the  conclusion  that  the  earth  is  bounded  by  an 
electric  belt,  which  passes  around  from  northwest  to 
southeast,  but  only  a  little  to  the  north  and  south,  as 
was  proven  by  the  direction  their  cars  took  in  their  jour- 
neys. They  then  concluded  that  travel  could  be  arranged 
for  that  route,  and  the  parts  of  the  world  not  reached  by 
this  belt  could  be  reached  by  the  other  usual  modes  of 
travel.  They  decide  to  build  a  series  of  cars  upon  an 
improved  plan,  and  to  more  fully  test  this  novel  idea — 
this  rapid  way  of  traveling. 

In  1893  it  took  eiglity  days  to  circumnavigate  the 
globe,  which  was  thought  a  wonderfully  rapid  mode  of 
travel;  but  here  and  this  very  week  it  had  been  circum- 
pavigated  in  five  days,  and  one  day  had  been  spent  in, 


142  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

looking  up  passengers  on  the  way.  Then  it  took  five 
days  to  cross  the  Athmtic,  now  fifteen  hours.  Wonderful 
speed!  Then  it  took  six  days  to  go  from  New  York 
to  San  Francisco,  but  now  the  journey  was  being  made 
by  hundreds  every  day  in  fifteen  hours.  That  was  called 
a  fast  generation,  hurry  and  rush  from  the  cradle  to  the 
grave,  but  what  of  this  ?  Then  there  was  trouble  and/ 
anxiety  seen  in  every  face,  now  joy  and  peace  lit  up  all 
countenances.  Great  change !  Yet  no  greater  than  was 
that  day  from  the  times  of  their  forefathers. 

Had  the  picture  of  '93  been  drawn  for  our  Puritan 
fathers,  they  would  have  called  the  artist  crazy,  or  that 
he  was  possessed  of  witchcraft.  Yes,  and  had  the 
picture  of  these  days  been  drawn  for  the  men  of  '93,  he, 
too,  would  be  considered  dreamy  and  a  fellow  of  imagi- 
nary notions ;  and  could  the  picture  of  ten  years  hence  be 
drawn  for  the  people  of  the  fast  generation  which  we 
have  been  describing,  again  the  artist  would  be  consid- 
ered mad.  The  real  facts  in  the  case  are,  that  it  is  not 
possible  for  a  man's  mind,  in  the  present  state  of  growth, 
to  reach  any  such  a  breadth  as  would  be  necessary  to 
take  in  the  height,  the  depth  and  the  length  to  which 
this  race,  to  which  we  belong,  is  destined  to  grow  in  the 
future,  if  we  will  keep  on  in  the  present  line  of  advance- 
ment, the  one  intended  for  us. 

But  nights  still  have  an  end,  and  the  days  still  come, 
and  so  did  this  one  and  the  next  day,  and  ten  o'clock 
arrived  and  our  friends  are  seen  prepared  to  begin  the 
round  of  inspection  throughout  the  land. 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  143 


CHAPTER  XI. 

"  Love  rules  the  court,  the  camp,  the  grove. 
And  men  below,  and  saints  above  ; 
For  love  is  heaven  and  heaven  is  love." — Scott. 

The  president's  car,  which  had  been  run  onto  the 
switch  at  the  house  where  they  were  stopping,  hangs 
ready  for  occupancy.  There  are  no  depots  now.  The 
raihvay  system  is  as  the  highways  used  to  be.  It  is 
government  property,  and  every  one  either  has  a  car  or 
hires  one  from  some  neighbor  when  he  has  atrip  to  make, 
and  just  starts  off,  just  as  they  used  to  on  tlie  highways 
with  their  carriages  and  horses.  No  tickets  to  buy;  no 
connections  to  miss. 

In  former  days  the  people  were  the  government,  and 
it  seemed  to  act  as  a  great  octopus,  feeding  from  the 
people.  Charging  was  the  rule,  and  for  everything  from 
a  postage  stamp  up,  never  thinking  of  such  a  thing  as 
anything  being  free,  the  officers  thereof  acting  as  leeches, 
drawing  their  living  from  the  hard-earned  possessions  of 
the  citizens,  cliarging  for  recording  deeds  up  and  up 
through  all  the  many  ways  they  had  of  doing  their  work. 

Now  this  has  been  changed.  The  people  are  not  tlie 
government,  but  the  government  is  the  people.  It  exists 
only  as  an  agent  and  helper  for  the  people,  and  every 
improvement  or  change  it  makes  is  not  that  it  may  have 
another  opportunity  to  draw  sustenance  from  the  inhab- 
itants, but  that  it  may  lessen  their  labors  and  increase 
their  possessions. 


144  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

They  were  soon  seated  in  the  car,  the  lever  is  moved 
and  away  they  go.  How  easy  moves  the  car.  No  noise, 
no  smoke,  no  jar  or  jerk,  but  on  and  on  they  seemed  to 
fly,  past  cities,  farms,  mountains,  and  over  rivers,  valleys 
and  canyons.  It  seemed  like  flying.  The  glass  sides  of 
the  car  make  it  seem  as  though  they  were  out  in  the  air. 

"  Why  does  not  this  car  make  the  noise  that  our  car 
did  when  Ave  were  coming  back  from  Africa?"  Neva  asked. 

"  That  car  met  the  air  with  a  flat  side,  while  this  one 
with  a  point,  which  causes  no  friction  or  noise,"  she  was 
answered. 

They  passed  the  valleys  and  over  the  mountain  tops 
so  easy  and  rapid  that  it  seemed  to  Neva  and  the  black 
king,  Seoto,  as  though  they  had  been  hurled  from  some 
great  catapult.  It  is  hardly  three  o'clock  when  they  pass 
down  the  mountain's  side  and  slow  up  in  Denver. 

That  evening,  as  Neva  and  Trafford  were  walking 
down  the  street,  who  should  they  meet  but  Dr.  RuttHdge, 
who  was  on  his  way  to  Cincinnati,  and  had  stopped  over 
here  for  a  few  hours,  sight- seeing. 

They  walked  on  down  the  street  together,  when,  as 
they  turned  down  another  street,  they  came  upon  a  man 
who  was  but  little  more  than  a  walking  skeleton,  having 
had  the  consumption  for  years. 

Neva  noticed  him,  and  remarked  as  they  passed  on 
that  she  thought  the  doctors  ought  to  be  able  to  do  as 
much  for  diseased  people  as  the  other  sciences  were  in 
their  line. 

"  Yes,  I  have  thought  as  much,"  said  Trafford.  "You 
ought  to  be  able  to  find  a  remedy  that  would  be  the 
cure-all,  for  it  seems  to  me  that  is  God's  teaching.  In 
the  field,  where  grows  alike  the  burr  and  the  thistle,  the 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  145 

wise  farmer  steps  with  his  hoe,  and  with  the  same  instru- 
ment and  in  the  same  way  roots  up  each  alike.  The 
larger  obstructions  to  the  raising  of  a  crop  can  be  removed 
in  the  same  way  by  the  use  of  a  little  more  force  and  a 
larger  instrument.  All  the  enemies  of  the  government 
are  treated  by  the  same  force,  but  as  their  several  conse- 
quences will  necessitate ;  the  sheriff  for  the  single 
individual  and  the  army  for  the  mob.  The  little  fire  takes 
water  to  put  it  out  as  well  as  the  great  fire ;  the  only 
difference  is  in  the  quantity  that  it  takes. 

' '  It  seems  to  me  that  you  ought  to  be  able,  by  this  time, 
to  discover  what  force  life  is.  The  disease  in  the  limb, 
body  or  head  is  caused  by  the  conquering  and  destroying 
of  the  elements  of  life  that  went  to  make  up  its  health,  by 
some  of  the  germs  of  disease,  and  the  nearer  the  body 
comes  to  death,  the  more  prominent  becomes  the  evidence 
of  a  more  complete  victory  on  the  part  of  the  disease 
germs  over  those  of  life." 

"  If  we  should  follow  out  your  theory  to  a  successful 
finale,  we  would  obliterate  disease  and  there  would  be  no 
more  death,  and  that  is  impossible,"  returned  the  doctor. 

"  Not  so,"  answered Trafford,  "Death  is  but  a  change, 
not  annihilation,  by  any  means,  and  if  only  a  change, 
why  not  that  change  be  wrought  rightfully?  The  cater- 
pillar, as  he  nears  the  borders  of  his  change,  does  not 
waste  away  in  disease,  but  simply  approaches  a  more 
perfect  caterpillarhood,  soon  to  put  on  butterfly  hood. 
Elijah  got  so  full  of  the  life  that  his  change  was  caused  by 
a  force  greater  than  death  and  disease,  for  disease  tears 
down,  while  his  force  built  up  and  carried  aloft.  Paul 
was  so  filled  with  this  element  of  life  that  it  lifted  him 
above  the  troubles  of  the  body  and  even  up  and  up  to  the 


146  IT    MIGIi:-    BE. 

third  heaven.  This  great  life  force  so  strengthened  John's 
sight  that  he  looked  from  the  isle  of  Patmos  into  the  far- 
off  heaven.  Doctor,  when  3'^ou  reach  your  laboratory, 
take  down  your  magnifying  glasses  and  chemicals  and 
begin  down  with  the  lowest  forms  of  life  in  the  disease 
germs,  and  then  comparing  them  with  health,  on  up  and 
up,  solve  the  problem  of  what  leaves  the  body  when 
disease  sets  in  and  health  leaves.  There  is  but  one 
remedy  for  moral  contagion  and  sin ;  find  the  remedy  for 
physical  contagion  and  disease." 

"  If  your  theory  be  true,  it  would  solve  the  problem 
we  have  been  at  work  on  for  a  long  time,  that  is,  the 
merging  of  the  different  systems  or  schools  of  practice 
into  one.  At  any  rate,  I  shall  try  and  see  what  I  can 
make  of  it,  Allerton,"  the  doctor  replied. 

"  What  is  that  big,  round  building  there,  Trafford, 
that  looks  so  much  like  a  great,  big  steam  boiler?"  asked 
Neva,  who  was  noticing  all  the  strange  things. 

"  That,"  said  Trafford,  "  is  the  city  air  power  boiler." 

"  And  what  is  that?"  she  asked. 

' '  From  that  boiler  comes  all  the  power  used  in  the 
mills,  factories,  printing  offices,  etc.,  of  the  city.  The 
boiler  contains,  instead  of  steam,  compressed  air,  which 
is  forced  in  there  and  kept  at  the  required  pressure  by  a 
very  simple  contrivance.  A  great  cylinder  is  arranged 
with  a  piston  therein,  and  then  a  small  dynamite  cartridge 
is  exploded  against  it,  which  forces  it  in,  and  with  it  the 
air  into  the  boiler,  and  there  is  no  cost  to  amount  to  much 
about  it,  either.  This  pressure  is  carried  to  the  engine 
needing  it  at  the  factory,  in  pipes  much  like  the  water 
mains.  This,  of  course,  does  away  with  all  the  steam 
boilers  and  their  expensive  methods  of  generating  force. 


IT    MIfiHT    RE.  '  147 

The  boilers  never  rust  out ;  no  fire-boxes  burn  out,  and 
the  wliole  plan  is  so  simple  that  I  wonder  that  it  was  not 
used  immediately  after  the  scheme  was  thought  of  in  the 
air-brake  to  the  railroad  trains." 

They  had  been  traveling  on  for  some  time,  talking 
first  on  one  subject  and  then  another,  when  Neva  again 
noticed  something  she  could  not  understand,  and  asked : 

"  What  are  the  buildings  made  of?  They  don't  look 
like  brick,  stone  or  wood." 

"No,  they  are  not  brick,  stone  or  wood.  The  build- 
ings put  up  now  are  much  better,  easier  and  cheaper  built 
than  they  used  to  be.  The  material  we  use  now  is  wood 
pulp,  very  nearly  the  same  we  used  to  make  tubs  and 
buckets  of.  It  is  much  lighter  than  any  other  material 
we  could  use,  and  when  hardened  is  as  solid  and  firm  as 
if  cut  out  of  a  solid  block  of  stone  or  wood.  Buildings  are 
built  to  all  heights  needed,  and  in  many  fantastic  shapes 
and  styles.  They  act  mucli  after  the  working  of  the  ice 
house,  warmer  in  winter  and  cooler  in  summer." 

They  stepped  into  a  store,  and  Neva  called  for  a 
handkerchief.  She  was  taken  to  that  department  of  the 
store,  where  a  number  were  shown  her,  each  bearing  a 
card,  explaining  the  material  they  were  made  of  and  the 
price.  She  picked  up  one  and  looked  at  it,  then  turned 
to  the  clerk  and  asked : 

"  Are  you  sure  it  is  all  linen?" 

The  clerk  looked  at  her  in  a  puzzled  manner,  and  then 
turned  toward  Trafford  as  if  to  ask  what  was  the  matter 
with  that  lady. 

Trafford  then  explained  to  her  that  these  goods  had 
all  passed  through  the  government  exchange,  and  that 
they  were  guaranteed  by  the  Union  to  be   just  as  repre- 


148  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

sented.  No  one,  nowadays,  ever  questions  the  qualities 
of  goods  offered  for  sale,  for  they  are  all  true  to  name. 

''  But  what  has  the  government  to  do  with  them?  I 
don't  remember  what  that  plan  said,  now." 

'' The  government  acts  as  a  great  exchange  between 
its  citizens.  It  buys  what  they  have  to  sell  and  sells 
them  what  they  have  to  buy.  These  goods  were  bought 
of  the  government,  to  whom  they  were  sold  by  the  factory 
making  them.  Thus  it  is  with  all  the  articles  of 
commerce,  grain,  live  stock,  cotton,  groceries,  dry  goods, 
and,  in  fact,  everything  is  sold  by  the  producer  to  the 
government  exchange,  of  which  there  is  one  in  every 
town,  and  many  in  isolated  parts  of  the  country.  This 
exchange  acts  in  much  the  same  capacity  that  the  whole- 
sale houses  used  to.  These  goods  were  bought  by  this 
store  at  a  price  which  all  may  know,  and  are  in  turn  sold 
to  their  customers  at  a  price  fixed  by  law.  Before  a 
merchant  can  buy  goods  of  the  government,  he  has  to 
give  bonds,  and  agree  not  to  sell  anything  for  other  than 
the  published  price." 

The  next  day  they  went  out  to  the  mines,  and  Neva 
saw  some  things  that  made  her  eyes  stick  out.  This  is 
the  way  she  described  what  she  saw  to  her  mother  after 
their  return : 

"  We  were  let  down  into  a  mine,  I  don't  know  how 
far,  and  when  we -got  there  they  took  us  off  into  a  big 
room,  where  they  had  some  queer-looking  machines  and 
a  great,  big  wire,  all  covered  over  with  something  like 
cord.  In  the  side  of  the  room  was  a  hole  and  into  this 
hole  the  wire  was  pushed.  After  awhile  it  would  go  no 
farther,  and  they  said  it  had  reached  the  metal  at  the  end 
of  the  hole.     The  man  who  had  charge  of  the  work  said 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  149 

that  the  attraction  of  the  metal  to  the  wire  pulled  it  in. 
In  a  few  moments  the  man  moved  the  lever,  and  an  indi- 
cator finger  on  one  of  the  machines  moved  and  a  little 
motor  began  to  run.  The  man  then  took  a  rod  and  pulled 
a  plug  out  of  the  wire,  and  out  of  the  hole  thus  left  in  a  « 
few  minutes  the  bright  melted  metal  began  to  run.  It 
fell  into  another  machine,  which  delivered  it  out  in  little 
or  big  blocks,  just  as  was  required.  Trafford  told  me  that 
was  the  way  they  mined  the  metals  now,  and  that  an 
immense  amount  could  be  melted  out  by  the  electricity 
in  a  very  short  time,  and  that  it  did  not  take  much  help 
to  run  it.  The  cost,  he  said,  used  to  be  a  hundred  times 
as  much  as  now,  and  the  work  a  hundred  times  slower. 
I  asked  them  what  they  did  with  tbe  metal,  and  they  said 
the  government  bought  it  all  and  that  it  either  used  it  in 
the  many  improvements  that  were  being  built  by  the 
government  or  sold  it  to  those  who  wanted  it  for  that 
purpose.  What  gold  and  silver  that  the  people  did  not 
use  was  coined  into  bricks  and  stored  in  the  treasury." 

Trafford,  who  had  just  come  in,  went  on  to  say  that 
in  many  of  the  iron  mines  were  foundries,  and  the  melted 
metal  was  then  and  there  run  into  the  shapes  and  forms 
wished  for.  He  also  informed  them,  when  they  asked 
about  the  price,  that  that  had  remained  the  same  as  it 
had  been  fixed  after  they  had  perfected  their  present 
method  of  mining,  so  that  the  miner  knew  that  he  was 
sure  of  a  market  and  also  just  what  price  he  would  get 
for  it.  The  industry,  he  said,  was  in  a  very  prosperous 
condition,  and  could  not  meet  fully  the  demands  that 
were  made  upon  it  for  material  with  which  to  build  the 
immense  amount  of  improving  now  going  on  everywhere. 

The  next  morning  they  were  away  to  the  east,  expect- 


150  IT   MIGHT    BE. 

in^^  to  inspect  the  workings  of  the  live  stock  bureau,  as 
seen  in  the  great  packing  houses  of  Kansas  City,  which 
was  now  the  center  of  that  industry. 

They  were  soon  out  of  Colorado  and  into  Western 
Kansas,  when  Neva  expressed  a  desire  to  go  out  and  see 
the  place  from  which  she  started  on  that  strange  journey, 
so  the  car  was  stopped  at  what  was  then  a  town,  but 
which  had  grown  to  a  large  city  now.  There  their  car 
was  turned  northward  and  they  were  soon  landed  at  the 
place  looked  for,  which  was  no  longer  a  sand  hill,  but  a 
well  improved  farm.  Tliey  started  out  to  walk  around  a 
little,  but  had  not  gone  far  when  a  jack  rabbit  started  up 
and  ran  off  a  short  distance  and  then  stopped.  Seoto  had 
never  seen  one  before,  and,  of  course,  did  not  know  what 
it  was,  and  his  true  nature  came  to  the  front  in  a  moment; 
he  jerked  off  his  shoes,  which  were  something  he  had 
never  seen  until  he  saw  them  on  Trafford,  but  had  been 
induced  by  Neva  to  put  on  a  pair,  and  started  out  through 
the  field  for  that  swift  animal.  While  the  rabbit  trotted 
liesurely  ahead  of  him  as  if  trying  to  tempt  him  to  run 
faster,  the  big  black  man  ran  his  best.  In  a  few  moments 
they  saw  him  stop,  then  sit  down,  then  roll  over  and  then 
he  yelled,  an  awful  yell. 

They  wondered  if  he  had  gone  crazy,  or  what  the 
matter  was.  Had  his  old  savage  nature  come  back,  and 
was  he  enraged  into  a  crazy  fit  of  temper  by  his  unsuc- 
cessful attempt?  They  hurriedly  went  to  the  scene  to  see 
what  the  matter  was.  It  did  not  take  them  long  to  find 
out,  for  there  he  lay  on  his  back  in  the  center  of  a  large 
sand  burr  patch.  Did  you  ever  see  a  sand  burr?  Then 
you  know  what  misery  he  must  have  been  in,  with  their 
thousands  of  sharp,  pointed  hooks  sticking  into  him.     It 


IT    MIGHT    RE.  151 

took  them  half  an  hour  to  get  the  burrs  off  from  him  and 
get  back  to  the  car,  but  the  hooks  on  the  sharp  points 
which  had  broken  off  in  his  flesh  gave  him  trouble  for  a 
long  time. 

When  they  were  safely  seated  in  their  car  and  on  the 
way  again,  Trafford  spoke  up: 

"  That  little  occurrence  of  Seoto's  has  set  me  to  think- 
ing. It  seems  to  me  that  the  plow  and  the  cultivator  are 
too  slow  a  way  of  getting  rid  of  the  weeds,  and  I  believe 
that  we  ought  to  be  able  to  find  out  the  combination  of 
the  elements  that  go  to  produce  weeds,  which  God  said 
was  a  curse  to  the  ground,  and  when  we  find  it,  so  change 
as  to  be  able  to  kill  all  these  plants  that  are  a  detriment 
to  us.  When  our  race  was  sent  out  on  the  face  of  the 
earth  the  Creator  said  they  were  to  subdue  it,  and  here 
thousands  of  years  after  that  time,  and  we  have  not  done 
as  commanded  yet.  I  shall  call  the  attention  of  our  chief 
of  botany  to  this  line  of  thought  and  research,  and  see  if 
he  cannot  solve  it." 

"  A  new  thought  to  me,"  returned  the  president, 
"  but  I  believe  there  is  something  in  it." 

After  they  had  talked  a  short  time  on  this  question, 
Neva  had  another  question  to  ask : 

"  Tell  me  how  it  is  that  this  country  is  so  well  improved 
now  and  seems  to  have  such  good  crops,  when,  at  the 
time  I  left,  it  was  a  land  which  dried  out  and  drove  away 
its  inhabitants  about  every  other  year?" 

"That  change  has  been  caused,"  the  president 
answered,  "by  our  system  of  rain-making.  Have  you 
not  noticed  in  the  papers  the  rain  calendar?" 

"  Yes,  I  saw  that,  but  I  thought  that  it  was  simply 
some  weather  prophet's  prognostications." 


152  It   MIGHT  r.R. 

"  No,  it  was  not.  That  was  a  real  calendar.  We 
have  a  good  shower  in  the  locality  the  date  states  on  each 
one  of  tlie  days  mentioned  there.  The  way  it  is  done  is 
through  the  electric  railway,  which  acts  as  a  great  electric 
highway.  The  electricity  therein  is  not  made  by  genera- 
tors, as  you  may  have  supposed,  but  is  attracted  from 
Nature  about  it.  Well,  when  we  want  a  rain  in  Western 
Kansas,  the  current  of  electricity  is  turned  on  there  in 
greater  quantity  by  being  drawn  from  the  balance  of  the 
system.  This  greater  amount  causes  it  to  overflow  its 
track  and  cliarge  the  atmosphere,  which  makes  it  rain. 
When  we  want  it  to  stop,  all  that  has  to  be  done  is  to 
again  open  the  connections  and  the  force  is  drawn  down 
from  the  heavens  and  it  stops  raining.  It  used  to  be 
taught  that  the  rain  came  from  the  great  bodies  of  water 
and  the  moist  soil  by  evaporation,  and  was  blown  about 
in  the  clouds  by  the  wind,  but  we  have  changed  our 
minds  wonderfully  on  that  scheme  now,  and  have 
found  out  that  the  rain  can  be  and  is  drawn  from 
the  great  sources  of  moisture  by  the  power  of  the  elec- 
tricity, just  as  a  flame  will  draw  the  oil  from  the  bowl 
of  the  lamp  through  the  wick.  We  very  often  have  some 
water  fall  before  the  moisture  in  the  atmosphere  has  risen 
enough  to  cause  a  cloud.  This  equalization  of  the  elec- 
tricity does  away  with  all  lightning  and  thunder  storms ; 
no  more  cyclones,  great  blows,  hot  winds,  and  no  sudden 
and  great  change  in  the  temperature. ' ' 

They  have  reached  Kansas  City,  and  the  car  is  switched 
off  and  they  go  to  the  home  of  the  president's  brother, 
who  lives  there,  to  remain  that  night,  intending  on  the 
morrow  to  make  the  examination  of  the  packing  houses 
here. 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  153 


CHAPTER  XII. 

"All  things  are  artificial,  for  nature  is  the   art  of   God." 

— Browne. 

The  next  morning  tbey  paid  a  visit  to  the  packing 
interests,  and  found  them  covering  acres  and  acres  of 
ground.  Here  the  government  had  one  of  its  central 
storages  for  stock  and  meats.  The  head  of  one  of  the 
great  houses,  in  explaining  the  process  of  meat  curing, 
told  them  how  the  farmer  disposed  of  his  stock  at  the 
town  near  which  he  lived,  to  the  government  agent.  The 
stock  was  then  loaded  into  cars,  which  were  made  for 
that  purpose,  each  car  being  able  to  hold  about  ten  head 
of  cattle  or  about  forty  head  of  hogs.  When  loaded, 
these  cars  were  moved  from  the  switch  to  the  main  track, 
a  card  was  attached,  which  gave  the  name  and  address  of 
the  agent  sending  them,  also  the  number  of  pounds, 
which  was  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  the  clerks  to  keep 
the  account  with  the  right  man,  the  lever  is  then  moved, 
and  away  the  stock  goes  at  the  rate  of  two  hundred  miles 
an  hour  to  the  central  station,  where  they  are  turned  out 
into  some  of  the  pens  of  the  great  yards  to  await  their 
time  of  departure  for  the  killing  rooms,  when  purchased 
by  the  buyers.  They  are  either  packed  down  then  and 
disposed  of  to  the  government  or  shipped,  through  the 
same  medium,  as  fresh  meat  all  over  the  land. 

' '  And  do  you  have  refrigerator  cars  now  as  they  used 
to  have?"  Neva  was  then  told  that  they  yet  used  the 
refrigerator  car,  but  the  principal  method  of  preserving 
the  meat  fresh  was  by  the  chilling  process,  which,   he 


154  IT    MIGHT    BR. 

went  on  to  explain,  was  the  removal  from  the  meat  and 
the  boxes  it  was  packed  in  of  that  which  caused  it  to 
spoil,  just  as  the  disease  germs  could  be  killed  by  infection 
in  a  sick  room,  or  air-poisoned  alley. 

An  immense  amount  of  meat  was  now  used  by  our 
people,  and  it  kept  all  the  houses  of  the  land  at  work  on 
full  hours,  and  with  a  large  force  of  hands,  to  anywhere 
near  supply  the  demand.  He  also  said  that  the  meat  or 
butcher  shops  of  the  land  were  supplied  from  these  great 
centers.  There  was  no  killing  done  around  through  the 
county,  not  even  by  the  stock-raisers  themselves.  When 
they  wished  to  butcher,  as  it  used  to  be  called,  they 
simply  took  a  steer  or  hog  to  the  exchange  and  sold  him, 
and  at  the  meat  shop  would  buy  what  they  wished  with 
the  proceeds  thereof,  and  have  about  as  much  meat  as 
they  would  have  had,  and  now  it  is  cured  or  chilled,  and 
will  keep.  Here,  as  elsewhere,  the  government  was  the 
exchange  between  the  consumer  and  the  houses  prepar- 
ing it. 

On  the  way  back  from  the  packing  house  they  stepped 
into  a  newspaper  office  to  see  how  this  business  was  now 
carried  on.  Here  they  were  told — for  Neva  was  not  back- 
ward in  asking  questions — that  there  was  a  government 
news  bureau,  which  had  charge  of  the  gathering  of  all 
the  news,  except  the  local  news,  which  would  be  used 
only  by  the  one  paper.  The  news,  from  wherever  it 
happened,  was  sent  to  the  central  news  bureau  by  the 
'jjlione,  and  there  it  was  culled  and  sent  out  to  all  the 
newspaper  offices  in  the  land.  There  was  no  charge  for 
the  news  furnished,  but  the  government  sold  all  the 
supplies  and  machinery  needed,  which  they  had  bought 
from  the  manufactories,  and  in  this,  as  in  everything  else 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  155 

that  passed  through  the  government  exchange,  there  was 
added  a  margin  of  five  j^er  cent  for  handling,  which  went 
to  pay  the  expenses  of  the  government. 

When  the  news  was  checked  off  from  the  'phone 
in  the  newspaper  office,  it  was  handed  to  a  man  who  was 
sitting  at  an  instrument  much  like  a  large  typewriter.  In 
the  large  daily  offices  they  had  many  of  these  machines. 
With  this  machine  a  paper  is  printed  just  as  they  wish  to 
issue,  and  the  i)ictures  inserted  in  their  proper  places. 
The  photographic  plate  then  becomes  the  matrix,  into 
which  the  metal  is  poured,  which  becomes  the  type  for 
printing.  This  is  then  put  on  the  machine,  which  is 
much  like  the  ones  they  used  to  use,  only  more  simple 
and  rapid.  Tliere  has  been  but  little  change  in  the  mail- 
ing facilities,  except  in  tlie  speed  with  which  they  are 
delivered.  The  government  mailing  clerks  each  have  a 
car  in  which  they  travel  ui)on  their  several  routes.  The 
mailing  and  express  systems  are  now  combined.  There 
is  no  charge  made  in  the  mailing  part,  but  a  small  fee  is 
charged  in  the  express  department  at  so  much  a  pound, 
independent  of  the  distance  it  has  to  go.  The  free  delivery 
system,  greatly  improved,  is  in  use  in  all  the  cities  and 
most  populous  country  districts. 

Here  in  Kansas  City,  the  government  has  just  com- 
pleted a  large  building,  which  has  an  auditorivun  capable 
of  seating  one  hundred  thousand  people,  and  upon  the 
stage  at  the  end  there  has  been  placed  the  screen  and 
speaking  tubes  of  one  of  the  latest  improved  of  Allerton's 
inventions.  This  is  to  be  the  only  one  in  existence,  and 
belongs  to  the  nation,  but  is  placed  under  the  control  of 
Trafford.  It  is  intended,  when  it  is  ready  for  working,  to 
give  each  evening  some  song,  speech  or  occurrence  of 


156  IT    MIGHT   BE. 

the  long  ago.  The  auditorium  will  be  open  to  all  who 
wish  to  enter  and  listen  to  it,  and  a  connection  will  also 
be  made  W'ith  the  'phone  system,  and  all  the  homes  of 
the  land  can  attach  their  speaking  tubes  and  listen  to  it  if 
they  wish.  As  the  party  passed  into  the  building  to 
see  and  examine  the  yet  unused  machine,  for  it  was 
finislied  but  a  week  or  ten  days  ago,  Trafford  explained 
that  they  could  now  furnish  plates  of  any  desired  size  for 
home  use,  to  which  the  connection  could  be  made,  and  in 
the  many  homes  of  this  favored  land  they  could  see  the 
scenes  as  well  as  hear  the  sounds. 

They  stepped  upon  the  stage  and  looked  around.  All 
that  could  be  seen  there  was  the  great  metal  sheet,  forty 
feet  high  and  two  hundred  feet  long;  at  each  end  and  at 
the  center  of  the  top  and  bottom  were  placed  the  speaking 
tubes,  each  of  which  would  speak  the  same  sounds 
simultaneously,  and  thus,  surrounding  the  scene,  it 
would  seem  that  the  sounds  were  from  the  characters  on 
the  canvas.  In  a  closed  room  at  one  side  of  the  stage  is 
the  globe  and  machines  used  in  the  work.  They  vno 
longer  use  a  balloon  high  up  in  the  air,  but  now  the  great 
plate,  charged  with  electricity,  rises  of  itself,  this  city 
being  in  the  same  current  or  belt  that  Neva  took  her  great 
journey  in.  They  take  seats,  and  Neva  asks  the  man 
whom  Trafford  has  appointed  to  care  for  the  machine  to 
show  them,  if  he  can,  the  place  they  were  at  in  Africa. 

The  man  replied  that  if  she  could  tell  him  just  where 
it  was  in  that  great  country,  that  he  could  find  it,  but 
that  looking  for  some  uncertain  locality  with  this  machine 
w'as  like  turning  a  mighty  telescope  toward  the  heavens 
in  search  of  some  particular  star  and  not  know  where  that 
star  Avas,  yet  he  would  try. 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  157 

The  machine  is  now  so  improved  that  no  preparatory 
work  is  necessary,  but  it  is  always  ready.  He  sits  down 
at  a  large  table,  which  has  a  metal  top,  upon  one-half  of 
which  is  engraved  a  map  of  the  world,  and  over  which 
hangs  a  sharp-pointed  arm.  On  the  other  half  of  the 
table  is  engraven  a  long  column  of  dates,  which  extend 
in  point  of  time  from  the  present  back  to  "  B.  C.  3500," 
and  in  a  small  engraven  square  in  the  corner  of  this  half 
is  the  months  and  days  of  the  month,  and  over  each  one 
of  these  diagrams  hangs  a  pointed  arm,  just  like  the  one 
over  the  other  part. 

The  operator  first  takes  one  of  the  arms  and  touches  it 
to  the  place  marked  "Now,"  and  the  other  arm  on  that 
side  of  the  table  is  touched  to  the  day  and  month  repre- 
senting that  time.  Pie  then  asks  Neva  to  come  to  the 
table  and  move  the  other  arm  to  the  locality  on  the  map 
she  wished  to  see  and  hear  from.  She  sat  down  at  the 
table,  facing  the  metal  canvas,  and  taking  the  pointed  rod 
in  her  hand  touched  it  to  a  point  on  the  map  representing 
Eastern  Africa. 

The  second  it  was  touched  a  scene  flashed  over  the 
screen.  It  showed  a  mountain  and  the  valley  at  its  base, 
which  was  covered  with  a  dense  forest.  Coming  up  at  one 
side  of  the  mountain  could  be  seen  a  rain  cloud ;  the  flash 
of  the  lightning  could  be  seen,  and  the  speaking-tubes  rang 
out  the  roar  of  the  thunder.  They  also  heard  the  roar 
of  a  lion  and  the  laugh  of  a  hyena,  but  could  not  see 
them  down  in  the  forest,  the  foliage  on  the  trees  was  so 
dense. 

She  then  moved  the  point  a  little  to  the  east,  and  at 
once  was  seen  upon  the  screen  the  rippling  bosom  of  a 
great  lake.     Water  birds  could  be  seen  swimming  in  the 


158  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

water  and  flying  above  its  surface,  and  the  sounds  coming 
forth  were  from  the  birds  seen  on  the  canvas. 

Again  it  was  moved,  and  a  little  village  of  thatched 
huts  is  plainly  shown.  In  the  village  can  be  jjlainly  seen 
a  large  number  of  black  men  engaged  in  deadly  conflict, 
and  the  tubes  speak  forth  the  confusion  of  soupds  coming 
therefrom.  But  look  at  Seoto.  He  has  arisen  from  his 
chair  and  started  for  the  scene,  his  eyes  flashing  fire,  and 
his  fists  clinched.  They  finally  succeed  in  convincing 
him  that  he  cannot  belp  them,  for  they  are  thousands  of 
miles  away. 

"  But  they  are  my  people,"  he  exclaims.  "  See,  they 
are  killing  them.  Look — see — see — they  are  whipping 
the  robbers;  they  fall  back — they  run;  they  are  driven 
off,"  he  excitedly  exclaims,  as  the  scene  shows  one  side 
driving  the  other,  with  great  slaughter,  from  the  town. 

''  Let  me  go  home,"  he  begs.  ''  My  people  are  free 
again.     Send  me  home." 

Neva  succeeds  in  quieting  him,  but  the  old  fellow  is 
so  excited  yet  that  in  a  few  moments  he  breaks  out  again, 
talking  about  his  people,  and  walks  about.  He  is  so 
happy  at  the  success  of  his  people,  that  he  rushes  up  to 
shake  Neva's  hand,  and  grasping  hold  of  her  arm,  he 
jerks  her  hand,  which  still  holds  the  point  to  the  table, 
entirely  off  from  the  map  and  out  onto  one  side  of  the 
table,  where  it  rests. 

Look  now  at  the  screen;  there  are  bare  mountains, 
bleak  valleys  and  barren  deserts  pictured  thereon.  No 
sound  escapes  the  tubes,  and  all  is  solemn  silence.  They 
look  and  look  at  the  scene.  Not  a  sign  of  life ;  no  motion; 
all  a  seemingly  cold,  barren  waste. 

''  Where  is  that  scene  from?"  the  president  asks. 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  159 

Trafford  looks  at  the  point  in  which  the  arm  is  placed, 
then,  taking  down  an  astronomical  map,  studies  it  for  a 
few  moments,  and  answers  : 

"  I  believe,  from  the  position  that  point  is  in  and  the 
direction  the  moon  is  now  from  the  earth,  that  that  must 
be  the  moon." 

But  how  plain  it  is  shown.  Even  the  great  rocks  can 
be  seen,  and  the  chasms  seem  to  open  their  great  mouths 
in  astonishment  at  having  their  likenesses  shown  up  here 
so  plainly. 

Neva  slowly  moves  the  point  around  and  different 
parts  of  the  moon  are  brought  into  view.  They  cross  its 
great  barren  plains,  pass  over  the  (what  seems  to  be) 
frozen  surface  of  its  mighty  oceans,  climb  its  mountains, 
look  down  into  the  craters  of  its  cold  and  extinct  volca- 
noes, until  they  are  awed  into  silence  by  the  great  mass 
of  seemingly  useless  material  thrown  around  so  promis- 
cuously here. 

'  ■  Who  ever  thought  of  reaching  the  moon  with  this 
machine?"  said  Trafford,  and  then  excitedly  said,  as  a 
thought  or  new  idea  seemed  to  run  through  his  brain  : 

"  You  hold  that  point  there  and  I'll  move  this  other 
arm  down  the  alley  of  time  and  see  if  the  moon  has  always 
been  as  it  is  now." 

He  slowly  moves  the  arm  back  century  after  century, 
but  no  cliange,  no  sound  until  he  comes  to  the  date, 
B.  C.  3,000,  then  they  notice  that  there  is  shown  in  the 
picture  a  few  almost  dried-up  rivers,  and  the  ocean's  sur- 
face is  piled  with  great  blocks  of  ice,  and  the  volcano's 
crater  is  red-hot  at  the  bottom.  He  moves  it  back  as  far 
as  the  scale  of  the  machine  will  reach,  B.  C.  3,500,  and 
the  rivers  flow  through  the  land  in  m-uny  directions;  tlie 


160  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

ocean  is  an  open  body  of  water ;  clouds  hang  about  over 
the  surface  of  the  sea  and  hmd ;  vast  plains  are  covered 
with  a  green  carpet,  and  then  here  and  there  is  a  large 
forest ;  and  look  there  at  that  volcano ;  see  the  fire  and 
smoke ;  see  that  melted  lava  run  down  the  side  of  the 
mountain  and  into  the  sea;  see  the  vast  amount  of  steam 
that  arises  where  the  lava  pours  into  the  sea,  and  listen; 
the  tubes  are  speaking;  hear  the  hiss  of  the  steam  and 
the  roar  of  the  volcano — 

"  Move  the  point,  Neva." 

As  it  moves,  grand  scenery  comes  into  view.  There 
are  strange  sounds  coming  from  the  machine  now.  Is  it 
the  song  of  birds?  Is  it  the  sighing  of  the  breeze?  Maybe 
it  is  the  melody  of  the  babbling  brooks.  They  have  no 
means  of  telling  what  the  cause  thereof  may  be.  The 
point  is  moved  around  and  they  watch  the  screen  and 
listen  to  the  sounds  for  a  long  time,  and  oh,  how  they 
wish  for  a  machine  that  will  take  them  back  and  back  to 
the  creation.  Would  it,  if  they  had  such  a  machine, 
show  that  the  moon  had  been  inhabited,  and  what  would 
the  inhabitants  be  like?  Many  questions  they  wonder- 
ingly  asked  one  another ;  but  they  must  not  stay  here  any 
longer,  they  have  business  to  attend  to,  so  arise  and  leave 
the  building. 

It  is  with  wide  open  eyes  that  the  astronomers  read 
the  account  of  this  new  discovery,  as  it  comes  out  in  the 
evening  papers,  and  not  only  do  the  astronomers  read  it 
with  eagerness,  but  the  vast  population  of  our  land  read 
it  in  astonishment. 

The  nation  is  pleased  with  the  first  test  of  the  machine 
and  there  is  a  mighty  rush  of  orders  for  metal  jDlates  for 
home  iise^  that  these  sound!?  fiii4  scenes  may  come  to  the 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  161 

private  homes  also.  Thousands  of  the  plates  of  all  sizes 
are  shipped  each  day  and  put  up  in  the  private  residences, 
and  the  factories  are  rushed  night  and  day  supplying  the 
hundreds  of  thousands  called  for. 

But  to  return  to  our  party,  who,  that  evening,  take  a 
run  up  to  Cliicago,  and  "where  on  the  next  day  they  meet 
to  consult  with  the  heads  of  the  department  of  finance. 

While  the  president,  the  chief  of  the  department,  and 
many  of  the  bankers  are  holding  their  consultation,  one 
of  the  cashiers  sits  down  with  Neva  and,  in  answer  to  her  re- 
quest to  explain  the  financial  system  of  the  land,  he  begins : 

"To  begin  at  the  beginning,"  and  he  hands  her  a 
piece  of  paper,  which  she  recognizes  as  a  $50  bill. 
"Now,  if  you  will  read  the  words  engraved  thereon  you 
will  get  some  idea  of  what  our  money  really  is." 

And  she  read  aloud :  "  This  represents  $50  inj^urchas- 
ing  value  and  is  a  full  legal  tender  for  all  debts,  public 
and  private. ' '  She  saw  that  it  bore  the  government  stamp, 
and  that  the  president's  name  was  thereon  as  well  as  the 
register  of  the  treasury. 

"But  what  do  you  do  when  you  need  gold  in  your 
dealings  with  other  nations?"  she  asked. 

"  Our  treasury  contains  millions  of  it,  but  as  the 
governm.ent  makes  all  our  purchases  from  abroad  and  all 
the  sales  there,  the  gold  is  only  used  as  a  world's  money. 
We  do  not  handle  any  of  it,  to  amount  to  anything,  in 
our  banks.  There  is  never  such  a  thing  as  a  corner  in 
gold,  as  the  nr.tion  sells  but  little  of  gold  money  to  the 
people,  and  is  not  compelled  to  sell  any  if  they  thought  it 
best  not  to  do  so. 

"  You  now  see  what  our  money  is.  It  needs  no  gold 
backing,  for  it  is  not  a  promise  to  pay,  but  simply  repre- 


162  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

sents  a  purchasing  value.  This  is  the  only  kind  of  money 
we  have.  The  banks  issue  none.  The  government  has 
no  outstanding  bonds  or  indebtedness.  That  was  long 
since  wiped  out  by  the  great  amount  received  in  its  duties 
as  an  exchange.  Our  banks  do  much  the  same  business 
they  used  to." 

' '  But  have  you  the  postal  deposit  system  that  they 
used  to  talk  so  much  about?" 

"  No,"  was  the  reply.  "  The  banks  are  still  the  place 
of  deposit,  but  the  government  guarantees  all  the  deposits. 
Before  a  bank  can  begin  business  it  must  deposit  with  the 
government  $50,000.  They  then  receive  authority  to 
open  as  banks  of  deposit,  exchange,  etc.,  as  they  used  to. 
The  government  then  guarantees  the  deposits  to  the 
amount  of  $50,000  or  whatever  amount  above  that  they 
have  placed  on  deposit  with  the  nation.  The  amount  of 
their  deposits  with  the  government  may  be  increased  or 
diminished  at  any  time  by  returning  the  guarantee  and 
furnishing  evidence  that  they  have  no  more  on  deposit 
than  they  wish  to  leave  in  the  national  treasury,  provided 
that  no  bank  shall  have  less  than  $50,000  on  deposit  with 
the  government  at  any  time.  But  it  is  made  a  penitentiary 
offense  to  take  more  on  deposit  tlian  is  guaranteed  by  the 
government.  Our  rates  of  interest  have  fallen  so  that  it 
is  seldom  that  we  can  get  a  large  loan  for  a  long  time  at 
the  required  rate — four  ]i)er  cent. 

"  This,  of  course,  has  a  tendency  to  cause  rich  people  to 
put  their  money  into  more  paying  channels,  such  as  facto- 
ries, mills,  farms,  etc. ;  and  this  is  the  best  for  the  country, 
too,  for  it  causes  it  to  be  built  up  and  improved  thereby." 

"  But  how  is  this  immense  expense  to  the  government 
kept  up?" 


IT   MIGHT    BE.  163 

"I  will  answer  that  by  reading  you  a  report  I  have, 
which  is  to  be  read  to  the  convention  this  afternoon,  which 
is  to  be  used  there  as  tlie  report  of  the  income  of  the 
government  for  the  past  year.  These  figures  are  but 
approximate;  the  exact  figures  will  be  given  in  the  treasur- 
er's report  when  it  comes  out  at  the  end  of  the  year. 
These  figures  are  given  in  the  amount  of  production,  then 
in  the  value  as  in  our  present  prices : 

Wheat,  bushels,       800,000,000  value $      800,000,000 

Oats,  "  600,000,000       "     240,000,000 

Corn,  "  2,500,000,000      "     1,250,000,000 

Cotton,   bales,  10,000,000      "     1,000,000,000 

Cattle,     head,  40,000,000      "     2,000,000,000 

Hogs,  "  60,000,000       "     1,200,000,000 

Sheep,  "  50,000,000      "     500,000,000 

Mining  productions 400,000,000 

Manufactured  articles  of  all  kinds,  value 10,000,000,000 

Total $17,390,000,000 

All  of  this  is  handled  by  the  government  twice,  or  34,780,000,000 
Upon  all  of  which  it  gets  five  per  cent,  or $  1,739,000.000 

"  The  running  expenses  of  the  nation  have  been  cut 
down  to  about  $100,000,000  per  year,  so  you  see  that 
we  have  the  vast  sum  of  over  $1,700,000,000  to  devote 
wholly  to  the  uses  of  the  government,  such  as  the  care  of 
the  helpless  and  the  aged  (we  have  no  paupers),  the 
building  of  public  buildings,  colleges,  churches,  school 
houses,  bridges,  parks,  to  drain  off  swampy  lands  and 
fit  them  for  settlement,  and  thousands  of  other  things." 

After  they  had  left  the  convention  and  were  sight- 
seeing around,  Trafford  proposed  that  they  go  over  and 
see  the  Fair. 

"  What  kind  of  a  fair  have  they  here?"  asked  Neva. 

"You  remember  that  some  years  ago  they  had  a 
World's  Fair  here.  Well,  that  was  rebuilt,  and  on  a  much 
grander  scale  than  the  former.      This  one  is  o])ened  the 


164  TT    MIGHT   "BE. 

year  round,  Sundays  excepted.  Here,  every  new  inven- 
tion finds  its  way,  to  be  seen  and  studied  by  our  people, 
for  we  have  no  patent  laws  now.  The  government  pays 
very  liberally  for  all  new  inventions  that  are  worthy  of 
introduction,  and  as  they  are  made,  takes  them  off  of  the 
maker's  hands  and  in  turn  introduces  them  into  use. 
Things  new  and  old  in  all  the  sciences  and  art  are  to  be 
found  there.  Everything  you  could  think  of  and  more, 
too.  This  is  kept  up  by  the  government  and  is  free  to 
every  one." 

The  balance  of  the  day  was  spent  at  the  fair,  and  as 
they  returned  home  a  little  after  dark,  they  noticed  that 
some  of  tlie  business  houses  had  been  painted  over  with 
the  coating  used  to  light  the  interior  of  their  residences, 
and  that  it  was  preferable  to  the  liglit  furnished  by  the 
electric  lighting  methods.  The  president  remarked  that 
it  would  not  be  long  until  all  our  larger  cities  would  be 
lighted  that  way. 

That  evening  they  sent  for  the  chief  of  the  botany 
department  and  suggested  to  him  the  propriety  of  search- 
ing for  a  remedy  against  the  weed  and  thistle  malady, 
which  is  the  curse  of  the  farming  industry.  They  were 
surprised  to  find  that  he  was  already  to  work  in  that  very 
line  and  was  meeting  with  encouraging  success.  He  said 
that  he  expected  by  next  year  to  be  able  to  as  thoroughly 
inoculate  the  obnoxious  thistles  and  weeds  with  a  deadly 
disease  as  they  now  could  the  insects,  bugs  and  worms  that 
used  to  be  such  a  destructive  pest. 

That  evening  Trafford  is  called  by  Rev.  Elverton,  who 
is  still  in  California,  and  informed  that  a  great  religious 
convention  would  be  held  in  the  auditorium  at  Kansas 
City,  with  his  leave,  the  next  day.     The  delegates  from 


IT    MIGHT    BE,  165 

the  different  denominations  had  been  elected  and  given 
the  necessary  power  to  arrange  the  matters  as  was  seen 
fit,  and  that  as  tliey  were  ready  and  anxious  to  meet,  they 
had  been  called  so  soon.  He  also  asked  our  party  to  be 
present,  to  which  they  agreed. 


166  IT    MIGHT   BE. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

"  All  government,  indeed,  every  human  benefit  and 
enjoyment,  every  virtue,  and  every  prudent  act  is  founded 
on  compromise." — Burke. 

Tlie  convention  was  presided  over  by  Eev.  Eiverton, 
and  all  passed  off  peaceably  and  with  unanimity.  People 
had  learned  b}'  this  time  to  arise  above  petty  strifes  and 
jealousies,  and  but  few  of  the  delegates  indulged  in  any 
"  vain  strivings  about  the  law,"  and  those  who  did  were 
quickly  voted  down  by  the  convention,  and  it  was  decided 
to  unite.  But  it  was  a  long  time  before  they  could  arrange 
all  the  particulars  of  the  union.  They  could  not  unite  in 
word,  but  then  they  read  those  words  of  Paul,  "  The 
kingdom  of  God  is  not  in  word,  but  in  power,"  so,  of 
course,  it  was  not  in  word  that  they  wished  to  unite,  but 
when  they  looked  up  higher,  a  spiritual  base  could  be 
seen,  "  The  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints,"  upon 
which  all  true  Christians  could  stand.  The  Bible  did  not 
describe  any  two  conversions  just  alike,  so  they  need  not 
expect  the  operations  of  salvation  to  affect  them  all 
alike,  but  each  one  in  his  own  way,  as  God  saw  fit  to 
impress  the  truths  of  the  Bible  upon  that  soul. 

So  the  articles  of  union  were  drawn  and  signed.  There 
was  quite  a  change  in  the  locations  and  standing  of  the 
preachers,  yet  those  who  were  really  in  earnest  made  no 
complaint.  As  they  were  as  useful  to  the  national  wel- 
fare as  any  other  of  the  nation's  public  men,  the  officials 
of  the  government  proposed  to  pay  them  from  the  public 
treasury,  but  this  they  would  not  accept,  for  it  would  rob 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  167 

the  people  of  one  of  their  greatest  privileges,  that  of  giving 
to  help  the  progress  of  the  gospel. 

Morality  was  now  the  general  rule  and  not  the  excep- 
tion as  formerly. 

The  liquor  traffic  having  heen  banished  from  the  land, 
being  the  greatest  cause  of  this  change  in  the  morality. 
The  first  step  that  was  taken  by  the  government  to  put  out 
tlie  curse  was  to  cut  down  its  price  and  profits  to  the  same 
ratio  that  everything  else  was  fixed  at,  this  only  for  medical 
or  scientific  purposes.  In  its  use  as  a  beverage,  the  next 
step,  which  accomplished  its  death,  was  the  law  which  made 
the  man  who  furnished  the  liquor  to  another,  which  led 
him  to  commit  a  crime,  subject  to  the  same  penalty  that 
his  victim  had  to  pass  through.  And  Allerton's  machine 
did  away  with  any  hopes  of  not  being  detected  therein. 
There  was  no  profit  in  it,  and  it  was  too  dangerous  for  men  to 
fool  with,  when  they  could  n;iake  a  splendid  living  and  lay 
up  something  besides  in  any  other  business,  so  they  quit. 

As  they  were  leaving  the  city  for  Cincinnati,  the  next 
stop,  Neva  asked  how  it  was  that  they  got  along  without 
poor  houses,  for  she  had  been  told  that  there  were  none. 

"There  are  no  poor  houses,"  she  was  answered, 
''  because  there  are  no  poor  to  put  in  them.  The  govern- 
ment guarantees  plenty  of  work  to  all.  If  they  can  find 
no  work  at  home,  the  government  always  has  a  great 
demand  for  laborers  of  all  kinds,  and  they  are  sure  of  a 
position  for  any  length  of  time  they  wish,  and  at  good  wages. 

'' Aged  and  infirm  people  are  not  treated  as  paupers, 
but  if  they  have  not  enough  to  keep  them  comfortably,  a 
salary  equal  to  two-thirds  of  what  they  might  have  made 
were  they  able  to  work,  is  paid  them  from  the  public 
treasury." 


168  IT    MIGHT    RR. 

"  There  is  another  thing  I  have  been  wanting  to  ask 
about,  and  that  is,  how  do  you  conduct  the  immigration 
business  now?"  asked  Neva. 

"  The  matter  of  citizenship  is  somewhat  different  and 
more  strict  than  it  used  to  be,"  the  president  answered. 
"  Visitors  to  our  land  procure  from  their  home  govern- 
ments certificates  of  their  good  moral  character,  which 
are  presented  to  the  clerk  at  the  port  of  entry,  where  they 
make  a  statement  of  the  length  of  time  they  expect  to 
stay,  and  their  purpose  in  coming.  If  they  are  just  visit- 
ors, they  are  allowed  to  go  on  unmolested,  but  if  they 
have  no  certificates  they  are  not  allowed  to  enter.  In 
other  words.  Uncle  Sam  tries  to  be  as  careful  of  his  chil- 
dren as  fathers  and  mothers  do  of  their  children.  No  one 
who  would  be  an  injury  to  our  land  in  any  way  is  allowed 
to  land,  though  visitors  from  all  lands  are  welcome,  if 
they  are  all  right  and  come  with  good  intentions. 

"  To  become  a  citizen  of  the  Union,  the  emigrant  must 
certify  to  the  clerk  at  the  port  of  entry,  as  he  presents  his 
certificate,  that  he  comes  expecting  to  become  a  citizen, 
when  a  certificate  of  citizenship  on  trial  is  given  him, 
which  is  good  for  five  years.  He  becomes  a  citizen  at 
the  end  of  the  five  years  if  he  has  been  able  to  and  has 
passed  the  yearly  examinations  on  the  duties  of  a  citizen 
to  the  government  and  our  mode  and  method  of  govern- 
ment, and  the  English  language.  The  examinations  are 
so  arranged  that  by  the  time  he  has  passed  them  all  he  is 
pretty  well  informed  about  this  country,  and  is  able  to 
talk  with  us  in  our  language;  then,  after  he  has  taken  the 
oath  of  citizenship  and  loyalty,  he  becomes  a  full-fledged 
citizen.  But  if,  after  five  years'  residence  here,  he  fails 
to  pass  the  examinations,  he  is  sent  back  to  the  country 


IT    MIGHT    BR,  169 

from  wliicli  lie  came,  and  the  property  he  has  acquired  is 
purchased  from  him  at  its  value  and  the  price  thereof,  less 
transportation  charges,  is  paid  him.  Of  course,  there  are 
a  few  exceptions  to  this  rule,  as,  for  instance,  an  aged 
person  who  comes  over  with  his  family  and  children,  who 
expect  to  become  citizens ;  the  aged  person  is  then  allowed 
to  remain,  but  never  becomes  a  citizen,  and  is  never  paid 
any  of  the  sums  paid  to  our  citizen  aged  and  infirm. 
Sickness  or  some  other  unlooked  for  trouble,  over  which 
the  applicant  has  no  control,  may  give  him  the  privilege 
of  an  extension  of  the  trial  period, 

"  The  privilege  of  becoming  a  citizen  of  this  land  car- 
ries with  it  such  golden  opportunities  that  it  is  necessary 
to  make  these  laws  very  stringent  and  binding.  All  the 
things  which  they  had  to  pass  were  placed  in  the  course 
of  study  of  our  common  schools,  and  our  own  children 
were  obliged  to  learn  them  as  well. 

"  No  more  thugs  and  criminals  from  foreign  lands  are 
landed  here,  for  we  hold  the  country  issuing  the  certificates 
responsible  for  the  truth  thereof.  Thus  dissatisfied  people 
in  England,  Russia,  Germany,  Italy  and  the  other  coun- 
tries of  the  world  can  not  come  over  here,  only  to  be 
dissatisfied  still,  as  some  of  them  would  with  any  form 
of  government  that  held  their  passions  and  meanness 
in  check,  but  must  have  first  been  good,  law-abiding 
citizens  there.  Neither  are  people  coming  over  here 
from  other  lands  just  for  the  purpose  of  gain,  only 
to  return  with  their  plunder  when  they  get  enough  to 
satisfy  them.  No  foreigner  can  acquire  land  or  prop- 
erty here;  he  must  declare  his  intention  of  becoming 
a  citizen  and  live  here  and  pass  the  yearly  examinations, 
or  go  back." 


170  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

They  reach  Cincinnati,  and  that  evening  Trafford 
walks  over  to  the  office  of  Dr.  Rutthdge.  The  door  is 
partly  open  and  he  walks  in.  There  sits  the  doctor  at  his 
table,  surrounded  with  bottles,  chemicals,  glasses  and  who 
knows  what  all.  He  is  talking  to  himself,  but  loud 
enough  to  be  plainly  heard : 

"I  thought  I  had  it.  Where  did  I  miss  that  link? 
The  life,  the  life— where,  where  is  it — not  in  the  breath — 
of  what  does  it  consist?"  He  studies  on;  see  him  work; 
see  how  he  sweats.  Again  he  speaks:  "Where  shall  I 
look  for  it  now?" 

"'The  life  of  the  flesh  is  in  the  blood,' the  inspired 
writer  tells  us.  Why  not  go  to  the  great  physician  for 
help?"  said  Trafford,  and  then,  before  the  doctor  could 
answer  him,  he  had  gone. 

The  next  morning  as  Neva  and  Trafford  were  sitting 
at  the  balcony  window,  looking  out  upon  the  busy  city, 
a  happy  thought  seemed  to  come  to  Trafford,  and  he 
turned  to  his  companion  and  said : 

'  I  don't  see  how  I  could  have  got  along  another  year 
without  you,  Neva — " 

"  Oh,  I  suppose  you  would  have  got  along  all  right,  but 
what  would  have  become  of  me?"  was  her  quick  answer. 

"  Well,  my  darling,  I  do  not  want  you  to  get  away 
again,  and,  by  the  way,  don't  you  think  that  now  would 
be  a  good  time  to  set  the  day?" 

"  What  day?"  she  teasingly  inquired. 

"  The  day  of  all  days  to  me,  the — " 

"Yes,  what  day?  I  would  like  to  know,  too,"  said 
the  president,  as  he  quickly  and  quietly  stepped  into  the 
room,  having  approached  unobserved  and  taken  them  by 
surprise. 


IT   MIGHT    BE.  171 

''  Well,  did  you  drop  down  from  the  roof,  Mr.  Presi- 
dent?" was  all  that  Trafford  could  say. 

The  president  did  not  notice  the  interrui^tion  and  did 
not  wait  for  an  answer,  but  continued : 

"  Maybe  I  am  not  welcome  just  now,  but  let  me  offer  a 
suggestion,  and  then  I'll  retire.  It  is  this:  It  will  take 
us  a  few  days  to  finish  up  our  examinations  and  reach 
the  capital.  I  propose  that  the  date  be  set  at  the  end  of 
this  trip  and  the  place  at  the  auditorium  in  Kansas  City. 
I'll  see  to  the  arrangements  at  the  auditorium.  When 
you  have  decided  let  me  know.  Good  morning,"  and  the 
president  was  gone. 

'  Tis  not  necessary  to  parade  the  conversation  of  these 
lovers  before  the  public  any  further,  except  to  record  the 
fact  that  the  president's  invitation  was  accepted. 

That  afternoon,  as  they  were  all  sitting  on  the  porch, 
Seoto,  who  never  had  much  to  say,  but  who  had  kept  up 
a  great  deal  of  thinking,  asked  the  following  question : 

' '  Why  cannot  you  annex  Africa  to  the  Union  and  have 
this  same  grand  government  down  there?  I  have  noticed 
this  land,  and,  while  you  have  many  great  cities  and 
wonderful  improvements,  yet  I  don't  believe  you  have 
half  as  good  ground  here  to  raise  crops  from  as  over  there 
in  that  great  continent.  If  these  methods  of  controlling 
the  storms  could  be  used  there  and  the  same  w^onderful 
methods  of  farming  be  used  as  are  in  use  here,  I  am  sure 
immense  crops  would  be  the  result.  Just  try  your  electric 
plows  there,  go  there  with  your  great  seeders,  and  you  will 
need  greater  harvesting  and  threshing  machines  than  you 
now  have;  yes,  your  present  husking  machines,  which 
go  over  twenty  acres  a  day,  will  have  to  be  improved  to 
work  there.     For  ce-nturies  those  lands  have  been  enriched 


172  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

by  the  decay  of  the  immense  vegetation,  and  now  must 
be  very  near  perfection." 

"  What  an  idea,"  returned  the  president.  "Quite  an 
acquisition  to  the  Union  Africa  would  be.  If  it  were 
purchased  from  the  natives  and  opened  to  homesteaders, 
what  a  rush  there  would  be.  We  will  think  more  of  this 
proposition  in  the  near  future,  Seoto." 

There  is  a  call  at  the  'phone  and  Trafford  attends  to 
it.  '  Tis  Dr.  Ruttlidge  talking,  and  he  tells  Trafford  this : 
"I've  found  it.  I've  found  it.  Your  words  helped 
me  into  the  light.  I  have  proven  it  correct,"  and  then  he 
goes  on  to  explain  what  his  discovery  is  and  what  he  expects 
therefrom.  The  plan  of  cure  will  now  be  to  inoculate  the 
sick  with  the  germs  of  life,  and  in  such  an  amount  as  to 
be  able  to  wholly  overcome  the  disease  germs  of  any  dis- 
ease. It  means  cure  for  all  disease.  He  also  adds  that 
he  is  sure  it  will  act  as  a  cure  for  insanity  and  imbecility. 
Through  the  discovery  just  made,  he  says,  the  electrician 
will  be  able  to  kill  all  the  germs  of  disease  afloat  in  the 
air,  and  to  thoroughly  disinfect  the  country. 
"Can  it  be  possible?"  asks  the  president. 
"Yes,  I  believe  it  can.  I  have  thought  for  a  long 
time  that  some  such  remedy  must  be  found." 

"  Would  this  method  of  cleaning  out  the  disease  germs 
be  applied  to  Africa,  what  a  glorious  country  that  would 
be  to  live  in,"  added  Neva  and  Seoto,  almost  in  the  same 
breath. 

The  conversation  is  continued  on  during  the  afternoon 
and  evening.  Many  plans  are  laid  for  the  future  and 
great  hopes  built  thereon. 

The  next  day  they  set  out  again  on  their  mission  and 
visit  iu  the  next  few  days  many  cities,  and  complete  the 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  173 

examination  of  the  departments  of  the  government.  The 
trip  is  over  and  they  arrive  at  Kansas  City  this  evening. 
To-morrow  the  marriage  service  between  Trafford  AUerton 
and  Neva  Tyrole  is  to  take  place. 

The  nation  has  heard  of  the  coming  event  and  has 
long  since  nodded  in  approval  thereof.  The  city  will  be 
filled  with  thousands  of  people,  and  other  thousands  who 
have  their  homes  fitted  with  the  plates  to  connect  with 
Trafford's  great  machine  will  sit  in  their  parlors,  with 
their  neighbors  who  have  none,  and  they  will  all  see  and 
hear  simultaneously  the  events  of  the  morrow  in  the 
auditorium.     The  arrangements  are  all  made. 

The  new  car  for  traveling  in  the  electric  belt  around 
the  globe  has  been  finished,  tried  and  found  to  be  a  suc- 
cess, which  at  the  same  time  explained  that  strange 
message  from  Australia,  received  in  the  mountain  cave. 
They  were  both  in  the  same  belt  and  reached  the  same 
conditions  and  connected. 

The  wedding  tour  is  to  be  made  in  this  car,  together 
with  the  parents,  the  president  and  his  wife,  around  the 
globe,  stopf)ing  at  the  most  interesting  points  along  the 
way,  and  leaving  Seoto  at  his  forest  home  to  do  what  he 
can  toward  bringing  those  people  to  a  desire  for  union  with 
this  Union. 

The  hour  of  meeting  at  the  auditorium  arrives  The 
room  is  packed  by  over  a  hundred  thousand  people.  The 
wedding  party  comes  in  and  are  given  seats  at  the  side  of 
the  stage.  The  president  then  steps  to  the  platform  and 
announces  that  the  singing  will  be  by  a  choir  from  the 
long  ago,  and  the  machine  is  set  to  work : 

The  song  it  has  sang  out  a  few  times  before  again 
bursts  out,  but  this  time  the  metal  screen  shows  a  beauti- 


174  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

ful  scene,  the  host  of  the  angehc  throng.  Such  a  wedding 
occasion  no  one  ever  attended  before.  Look  at  the  happy 
faces ;  feel  the  heart-beats  of  rapture ;  see  the  angel  throng 
and  hear  the  song.  The  whole  audience  feels  as  if  lifted 
heavenward. 

When  the  song  dies  away  the  machine  is  turned  on 
Niagara,  and  they  see  the  great  falls  and  hear  the  awful 
roar  thereof.  Then  away  to  the  Yellowstone  park,  where 
they  linger  for  some  time  before  turning  to  the  Yosemite, 
where  they  see  the  falls,  the  mighty  cliffs,  and  the 
grandeur  of  this  place.  From  here  the  machine  turns  to 
bring  up  the  wonderful  scenery  of  the  Rockies,  then  leaps 
far  away  to  the  Alps,  the  Rhine,  down  into  Africa,  across 
to  India,  and  then  the  point  is  fixed  on  the  North  Pole, 
and  that  mysterious,  imaginary  nothing  but  a  frozen  plain 
is  viewed  with  satisfaction.  From  here  the  instrument  is 
turned  to  the  moon,  and  then  back  and  back,  as  on  a 
former  occasion,  through  the  alley  of  time,  until  the 
people,  as  did  Trafford,  wished  for  a  more  far-reaching 
machine.  Now  it  is  turned  toward  the  sun  and  a  bright 
flash  covers  the  screen.  The  point  is  moved  here  and 
there  on  the  sun's  surface  and  finally  comes  to  a  dark 
place,  which  looks  like  a  hole  through  a  luminous  haze, 
with  a  dark  bottom,  the  surface  of  the  sun.  The  haze 
which  surrounds  the  sun  looks  more  like  an  electric  light 
than  any  other  light  they  can  think  of.  Then  from  there 
the  machine  is  turned  back  to  the  earth  and  to  Palestine, 
and  the  time  finger  placed  at  the  part  of  the  calendar 
marked  "  BC992,"  and  they  hear  the  songs  and  the  music 
which  rang  out  at  the  dedication  of  Solomon's  temple. 

This  song  dies  away  and  soon  ceases  to  echo  from 
wall  to  wall,  but  not  in  each  heart,  when  Rev,  Elverton. 


IT    MIGHT    BE.  I/O 

steps  to  the  front  and  thus  addresses  that  great  audience, 
and,  through  the  telephone  system,  milHons  not  able  to 
be  there  to-day : 

'*  Kings,  emperors  and  presidents  of  other  nations, 
who  have  so  kindly  accepted  our  invitation  and  are  here 
with  us  to-day,  and  my  brothers  and  sisters  of  America : 
With  feelings  of  joy  and  exultation  I  stand  before  you  to 
address  you  to-day.  We  are  mingled  here,  representa- 
tives of  every  nation  on  earth,  and  it  is  proper  and  fitting 
that  on  this  great  occasion,  the  first  ever  held  where  all 
countries  were  represented,  and  in  this  glorious  union, 
to  which  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  now  look  for  exam- 
ples in  government,  and  in  the  presence  of  the  two  to 
whom  we,  as  members  of  the  human  family,  owe  our 
deepest  gratitude — for  they  have  been  willing  servants  in 
God's  hands  of  bringing  us  to  this  glorious  rest — that  I 
recount  some  of  our  victories  and  the  means  used  to  win 
them.  I  am  at  once  impressed  with  our  unworthiness. 
How  slow  we  have  been,  through  the  ages  past,  to  grasp 
the  teachings  at  our  hand  of  this  glorious  Jubilee  Day, 
and  the  more  glorious  ones  yet  to  be  reached ;  for  '  Eye 
hath  not  seen,  nor  ear  heard,  neither  have  entered  into 
the  heart  of  man  the  things  which  God  hath  prepared  for 
them  that  love  Him.  Now  we  have  received  the  spirit 
which  is  of  God ;  that  we  might  know  the  things  that  are 
freely  given  to  us  of  God.' 

"  The  means  of  reaching  our  j^resent  state  were  at 
hand  all  through  the  dark  hours  of  the  past.  They  were 
flamed  into  the  prophets'  minds,  thundered  from  the 
law's  height,  hymned  in  the  psalms,  sighed  in  the  wail- 
ings  and  sung  in  angels'  songs,  and  yet  we  did  not 
realize  their  import.     We  stumbled  and  fell  over  them, 


17G  IT    MIGHT    BE. 

and  even  pushed  them  away,  when  they  were  so  anxious 
to  serve  us  in  opening  our  eyes  from  darkness  to  this 
marvelous  light. 

''Our  eyes  began  to  open,  when  in  yonder  cave  the 
lightning's  flash  touched  the  marvelous  work  of  Mr. 
AUerton's  hands,  aud  spread  upon  the  screen  that  wonder- 
ful picture  in  the  garden,  and  those  words  burst  forth : 
'  Of  every  tree  of  the  garden  thou  mayest  freely  eat,  but 
of  the  tree  of  the  knowledge  of  good  and  evil  thou  shalt 
not  eat  of  it ;  for  in  the  day  that  thou  eatest  thereof  thou 
shalt  surely  die.' 

"How  true  that  was,  yet  we  read  it  again  and  again 
and  failed  to  see  it.  Who,  but  God,  who  hath  made  the 
eternal  separations  between  good  and  evil,  could  decide 
the  one  from  the  other?  And  our  first  parents,  the  first 
time  they  attempted  to  decide,  made  a  mistake,  and 
there  lost  the  peaceful,  happy  estate  of  the  garden. 
Have  we  not  been  trying  ever  since,  by  our  many  com- 
mandments, statutes  and  laws,  to  decide  what  is  wrong 
and  put  a  penalty  thereto  ?  and,  oh!  how  many  grievous 
mistakes  have  been  made.  Man,  a  finite  creature,  decide 
upon  infinite  things  ?  The  very  thought  of  it  appalls  us. 
Why  the  laws  and  teachings  of  Revelation  ?  Because 
man  is  not  in  a  condition  in  an  earthly,  ignorant  state  to 
make  heavenly,  omniscient  decisions.  And  the  next 
command:  '  Be  fruitful  and  multiply,  and  replenish  the 
earth  and  subdue  it,  and  have  dominion  over  every  living 
thing  that  moveth  upon  the  earth.'  At  once  Cain  went 
out  and  decided  he  knew  how  to  replenish  the  earth,  and 
killed  Abel,  another  mistake,  by  leaning  unto  man's 
understanding;  and  ever  since  our  people  have  followed 
in  his  tracks. 


IT   MIGHT   BE.  177 

' '  We  have  been  saying  ever  since  Adam :  '  We 
cannot  have  dominion,'  when  God  commands  it;  but  we 
now  begin  to  see  that  we  can,  and  the  mysteries  are 
being  unfolded  from :  '  The  creature  itself  also  shall  be 
delivered  from  the  bondage  of  corruption  into  the  glorious 
liberty  of  the  children  of  God.  For  we  know  that  the 
whole  creation  groaneth  and  travaileth  in  pain  together 
until  now.'  Yes,  and  Isaiah's  prophecy  will  soon  be 
fulfilled:  'The  wolf  shall  dwell  with  the  lamb,  and  the 
leopard  shall  lie  down  with  the  kid;  the  calf  and  the 
young  lion  and  the  fatling  together,  and  a  little  child  shall 
lead  them.' 

* '  We  have  always  been  taught  that  we  are  all  of  one 
great  family  or  one  great  body,  with  God  as  head  or 
father.  If  this  is  so,  the  hand  has  ever  been  digging  out 
the  eye,  the  foot  refusing  to  go,  the  heart  withholding  its 
nourishing  blood,  and  the  lungs  closing  their  doors  of 
usefulness.  As  family,  brother  has  been  robbing  brother 
and  ruining  sisters  through  all  time.  Our  message 
teaches  us  now,  of  the  family,  with  renewed  vigor.  To 
the  parents  the  children  go  for  help,  and  there  take  and 
unload  their  burdens  and  cares. 

"  '  The  government  shall  be  upon  His  shoulders,'  not 
ours,  and  He  is  one  with  the  Father.  Why  not  to 
Him,  as  government,  go  for  help,  also  to  be  unburdened  ? 
He  is  the  Mediator  between  God  and  man,  and  also 
between  man  and  man.  When  this  great  invention 
recalled  to  our  minds  such  teaching  as  the  following,  we 
began  to  see  that  His  method  was  our  only  hope,  and 
that  it  was  sure :  *  Behold,  the  Lord  God  will  come  with 
a  strong  hand,  and  His  arm  shall  rule  for  Him.'  '  And 
the  Desire  of  all  nations   shall   come.'     None  but    Im- 


178  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

manuel  (God-with-us)  would  be  the  desire  of  all  nations. 
'The  spirit  of  wisdom,  understanding,  counsel,  might 
and  knowledge  shall  be  upon  him,  and  he  shall  not  judge 
after  the  sight  of  his  eyes,  neither  reprove  after  the  hear- 
ing of  his  ears.'  After  studying  these  and  many  other 
such  thoughts  in  the  message,  we  begun  to  catch  a 
glimpse  of  the  great  scheme  intended  for  us,  the  one  great 
family.  It  was  thus  the  ancient  patriarchs,  priests, 
prophets,  judges  and  kings  conducted  the  affairs  of  the 
nation  during  its  successful  periods,  and  a  step  to  one 
side  from  the  plan  led  to  disaster  and  ruin. 

"  Well,  we  met  in  convention,  we  talked  it  over,  heard 
the  message  anew,  and  then  repealed  all  laws  contrary  to 
this  plan,  and  made  it  the  universal  law  of  the  land. 
Now,  our  government  is  a  great  agency  between  the 
people,  and  the  state,  county  and  city  laws  are  but  steps 
leading  up  to  the  great  central  point,  and  that  founded 
on  the  Revealed  Word.  The  rules  of  all  cities  are  alike, 
as  well  as  of  all  counties  and  states.  There  is  now  no 
repealing  or  making  of  laws.  They  are  the  perfect  code 
from  an  omniscient  Being,  and  cannot  be  added  to 
or  subtracted  from.  We  now  know  how  to  observe  the 
injunction :  '  Look  not  every  man  on  his  own  things, 
but  every  man  also  on  the  things  of  others.'  Has  a  man 
too  much  grain,  stock,  goods,  or  anything  useful,  he 
thinks  of  those  who  need  it ;  but  not  knowing  who  they 
are,  he  leaves  it  with  the  great  national  eye,  the  govern- 
ment; it  pays  him  therefor  the  fixed  price,  and  the  one 
in  need  makes  his  wants  known  to  this  same  medium  of 
exchange,  and  is  satisfied.  It  is  the  same  with  labor  and 
all  intellectual  attainments.  The  nation  has  use  for  all. 
Departments    of    government   are    established    for  each 


IT    MIOHT    BE.  179 

branch  of  the  sciences,  for  religious  research,  invention, 
music,  etc.,  where  the  best  professors  are  stationed  at 
government  expense  to  perfect  these  branches,  their 
discoveries  being  at  once  put  into  use  by  the  nation, 
whose  property  they  are.  No  patents  or  copyrights  now, 
but  all  follow  the  golden  rule  and  defraud  no  one.  The 
immense  amount  now  flowing  into  the  government  from 
the  tithe  is  what  has  so  wonderfully  built  up  our  inner 
improvements,  as  you  see  them  now.  To  prove  it  all, 
we  will  ask  for  a  message  from  this  machine  now." 

The  lever  moves,  the  machine  rolls  on,  and  in  a  few 
moments  there  stands  in  likeness  upon  the  screen  a  form 
which  holds  their  attention.  Words  cannot  describe  the 
appearance,  but  to  gaze  thereon  calls  up  all  the  tenderest 
feelings  of  the  breast,  awakens  ^11  that  is  good,  pure  and 
noble  within  us,  melts  all  that  is  wrong,  and  causes  to 
burn  with  a  thousandfold  lustre  all  that  is  saintly  within 
the  heart.  Before  this  form  the  great,  the  noble  and  the 
famous  of  all  ages  have  fallen  in  adoration.  We  think  of 
love,  mercy  and  truth,  and  our  hearts  seem  endeavoring 
to  burst  their  bounds  as  we  behold  the  Lilly  of  the  Valley, 
the  Bright  and  Morning  Star.  Behold!  He  speaks:  "I 
am  the  way,  the  truth  and  the  life.  Come  unto  me  all 
ye  that  labor  and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you 
rest." 

Then  upon  the  screen  is  another  change,  and  with 
uplifted  hand  stands  one  to  bear  testimony  to  this  great 
Physician,  and  describe  the  workings  of  his  remedy: 
' '  Love  suff ereth  long  and  is  kind ;  love  envieth  not ;  love 
vaunteth  not  itself,  is  not  puffed  up ;  doth  not  behave  itself 
unseemly ;  seeketh  not  her  own ;  is  not  provoked ;  thinketh 
no  evil;  rejoiceth  not  in  iniquity,  but   rejoiceth  in  the 


180  IT   MIGHT   BE. 

truth;  beareth  all  things,  believeth  aU  things,  hopeth  all 
things;  love  never  faileth." 

A  sliarp  click  from  the  machine  and  all  is  over. 

The  president  of  England  arises  and  speaks :  "  It  is 
plain  to  my  mind  that  all  this  is  for  all  the  world,  and 
that  we  should  all  be  one  great  government ;  and  in  token 
that  we  each  of  us,  who  are  representatives  of  the  nations 
of  the  world,  will  see  to  it  that  we  are  all  united  in  this 
one  great,  grand  and  glorious  compact,  under  the  cove- 
nants of  old,  '  If  ye  will  obey  my  voice  and  keep  my 
covenant,  ye  shall  be  unto  me  a  kingdom  of  priests  and 
a  holy  nation. '  ' '  And  all  those  representatives  answered  : 
"All  that  the  Lord  hath  spoken  we  will  do."  They 
joined  hands  in  token  of  the  vow,  while  Trafford  and 
Neva  stepped  to  the  center  of  the  ring,  where  stood  the 
preacher,  who  in  a  brief  service  pronounced  them  hus- 
band and  wife. 

Here  we  must  leave  them,  patient  reader,  to  pursue 
their  life  of  peace  and  joy,  hoping  that  they  may  never 
meet  a  wave  to  retard  their  pleasant  voyage  down  the 
river  of  life.  This  and  the  mighty  problems  in  connec- 
tion with  the  union  in  one  great  government  of  all  the 
world,  and  tlie  possibilities  of  Africa  and  India,  are 
questions  we  may  not  grapple  with  now,  and  can  only 
answer  your  inquiry :   "  Is  it  possible  ?  ' ' 

"Yes,    IT   MIGHT   BE." 


EpaioFth  Organs 


NOTED  FOR. 


Richness  of  Tone, 
Durability  of  Action, 
Finish  of  Case. 


These  superior  instruments  are  sold 
by  the   makers   direct  to   homes  at 

Net    Factory    Prices 

Thereby  saving  our  people  the  usual  agent's 
expenses  and  profits,  enabling  one  to  secure 
a  high  grade  instrument  at  an  honest  price. 

Shipped  on  approval,  no  money  asked  until 
organ  arrives,  is  tested  and  found  perfectly 
satisfactory. 

Catalogue,  pictures  and  factory  prices  free, 
if  you  state  where  you  saw  this  advertisement. 

Write  to-day -^^^^ 

Williams  Opgan  and  Piano  Company, 


ESTABLISHED  1800. 

FOSGATE'S  ANODYNE  CORDIAL, 

CURES 

DIARRHffiA,     DYSENTERY,     CHOLERA    MORBUS,    WIND     COLIC,    CRAMPS, 

CHILDREN   TEETHING.        FOB   CHRONIC    DIARRHfEA   THERE    IS 

NOTHING    EQUAL   TO    IT. 


An  Old  Reliable  Family  Medicine  in  Use  for  Nearly  100  Years. 


Read  Testimony  of  Mrs.  Jane  C.  Rogers,  late  Superintendent  of 
Cayuga  Asylum  for  Destitute  Children  at  Auburn,  N.  Y. 

I  have  been  superintendent  at  the  Cayuga  Asylum  for  Desti- 
tute Children  31  years ;  during  all  this  time  have  used  Fosgate's 
Anodyne  Cordial,  for  many  ills  that  my  young  flock  are  heir  to, 
with  unvarying  success.  I  always  keep  a  supply  of  it  in  our 
medicine  chest,  and  would  not  be  without  it.  For  the  bowel 
complaints  that  are  common  to  children  and  for  infants  teething 
there  is  nothing  equal  to  it.  Dated,  June  1st,  1891,  Auburn, 
Cayuga  Co.,  N.  Y.         (Signed.)  MRS.  JANE  C.  ROGERS. 

Mothers  will  find  it  particularly  useful  for  CHILDREN  when 
TEETHING,  as  it  allays  irritation,  induces  moderate  perspira- 
tion, and  produces  sleep,  being  superior  to  all  other  remedies. 
For  sale  by  Druggists  or  sent  by  mail  on  receipt  of  price. 
PRICE  35  CENTS. 

FROM 

FOSGATE'S  MEDICAL  LABORATORY, 

AUBURN,  N.  Y. 

FOSGATE'S  ANODYNE  CORDIAL. 

William  Fosgate,  Jr., 

PROPRIETOR  AND   MANUFACTURER. 


PERTINENT  THOUGHTS, 

Bishop  Warren,  of  the  M.  E.  Church,  says  of  this 
work :  "I  am  persuaded  that  we,  as  a  church,  must  face 
the  great  problems  on  which  thousands  are  tliinking.  Do 
your  best.  You  cannot  go  amiss,  if  you  feel  that  Christ 
says  to  you,  'Give  ye  them  to  eat.'  He  has  provided  a 
remedy  for  every  possible  ill  of  the  weary  world." 

"The  phonograph  has  proved  the  theory  to  be  true 
that  waves  of  sound  representing  words,  music,  thunder 
or  whatever  you  please  may  be  preserved  in  permanent 
form,  and  may  be  reproduced  again  and  again,  and  still  be 
preserved  for  further  reproduction  centuries  hence.  This 
fact  if  further  explored  and  developed  might  justify  the 
belief  which  is  already  expressed  that  somewhere  and 
sometime  in  the  universe  we  will  find  a  rehearsal  of  all 
sounds  that  we  have  supposed  to  have  died  out  during  all 
the  ages  long  past.  Think  of  again  hearing  the  cannon 
booms  and  shout  of  victory  and  despair  at  Waterloo; 
think  of  hearing  again  the  real  and  original  words  of  Wes- 
ley, of  Pitt,  of  Burke,  or  Savonarola;  or  better  still,  of 
the  Savior  himself  as  He  walked  to  Galilee  or  stood  above 
Jerusalem  and  plead  with  men  to  forsake  their  wicked- 
ness and  follow  Him.  To  be  sure  all  this  will  seem  like  a 
flight  of  fancy  to  many  of  our  readers,  but  if  human  in- 
vention enables  us  to  reproduce  these  words  in  the  man- 
ner described  above,  is  it  at  all  impossible  or  even  unlikely 
that  infinite  intelligence  can  and  will  devise  a  wondrous 
phonograph  out  of  whose  infallible  oracles  the  varied 
deeds  and  words  of  our  lives  will  hereafter  be  reviewed?" 
— Rani's  Horn. 


